Service to Country

    When I was a young man, older folks from home would ask me, "Are you still in service?". These same folks used the expression "Let's go make groceries", for "Let's go to the store". But the phrase "in the service" meant something a lot different to me.
To me it meant "in the service of my nation". I was proud to have served. I am proud to have walked the same ground as those before me. Awards, recognition, citations, accommodations and medals are very appreciated. However, I gauge my success by the morals, and ethics I imposed on, and expected from the Soldiers in my charge. I truly took absolute responsibility for those boys I trained, took to combat, and brought back as men.
To me.... There are those in the service.... and there are those who serve. I served.... I served for those who did before me as a thank you. I served for those who didn't, so they wouldn't have to. Their support here at home was my motivation to do them proud and not tarnish my name, my fellow Soldiers, or my Country...

I served.

I am not a hero, but I was fortunate enough to walk among many.