Our Debt to Our Valiant Few
We are a nation whose all-volunteer military constitutes less than one percent of our total population. Yet those young men and women are called upon to fight continuing wars all around the globe to protect more than 300 million of the rest of us from the depredations of the savage wolves of Islamic terrorism. Consider those numbers this Memorial Day and then reflect upon those of our protectors who have given their lives in that endeavor. Then ponder how appropriate to our current times are the words of Winston Churchill when praising Britain’s Royal Air Force for fighting off the Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain:
Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.
So true then and so very true today — we, the many, owe a huge debt to the few, those valiant few sheepdogs who have laid down their lives in protecting their beloved flock.
Crossposted at American Thinker
Category: Politics
The all-volunteer military has only existed since 1972. There are still a few million men around who were drafted and served just as honorably as volunteers. There are also a lot of draftees who died just as permanently as volunteers, leaving family and friends who grieved just as much as those of volunteers.
Time, you’re preaching to the choir. I served with draftees in ground combat back in the 1960’s and am well aware of their contributions and sacrifices. However, my writing here was to specifically point out that TODAY we have an all volunteer force that is but a minuscule portion of our population and we have kept them engaged in combat for a very long time.
OK?
Sorry Tim, didn’t intend to misspell your name.
I understand and agree with your point, but I think you chose the wrong day to make it. Memorial Day is for all the dead.
No apology needed. Let those among us who have not occasionally hit an extra key cast the first stone.
Exactly right Sir.