It is said over and over, to the point of cliche', that "Old men start wars, young men die for them".

Probably because it's true.

But it's not entirely accurate, nor honest, in a society that hopes to be seen as Democratic. In every aspect of warfare this nation commits itself to, you do have a vote- one way or another. Vote with ballots, dollars, video-responses on youtube. Vote with congressional and district lines. Vote by going to your parties convention, represented locally, and kicking out those whom are filling seats for a couple of bucks, and make your presence and points known.

Even if I disagree with you.
Even if it sends me to combat that could be potentially fatal.

Just look me in the eyes and tell me honestly that you feel what I am doing is represented by your best interests. If you have tried, honestly tried, and failed- then inform me of so. Tell me you're mad. Tell me you're disappointed in the way our tax dollars are being spent. But tell me honestly that you spoke out.

Why is this important? Because in two days many of you will look me in the eye, shake my hand, and give me the same "Thank you for your service." that everyone else in uniform will get. And if you're happy, then I'll gladly shake your hand back, and tell you it's my honor to serve.

But many of you will not be, and you will have done nothing about it. The gesture will be empty and meaningless, and you will have failed the franchise. Some of you will have taken the appropriate courses of action. You will have made your voices known, and despite failure, you will have served your country. And when you shake my hand, I will gladly return the action. Because we can't all win, we can't all have what we want, but if we don't try, we'll never get it.

It does not matter if I agree with you. It does not matter if I like you. Because at the end of the day, you're my boss. You pay my salary, and you tell me when and where I will be going to work. And if you have made informed, intelligent decisions that reflect your true and honest beliefs, then I will march forward knowing this. If you falter, and do nothing then you are no better than the middle-manager at MegaCorp, who will never take initiative, will never advance, will never have anyone truly loyal to him, and is only kept around because he doesn't complain, or protest, and in his complacency the job gets done.

Is that what you want?

In two days we remember those who have fallen, and those who will fall. We are and will be many. When you turn on the T.V., or log into yahoo, I truly hope you are at peace with your executive decisions. It doesn't matter if I am; yes, we vote, but we are the minority. Less than 1% of the population will ever serve in the Armed Forces. Less than half of that will ever deploy to combat zones. Less than half of that will ever see combat.

I am that tiny, inconceivable, fraction of a percent. I will see combat. I will see men die. I will do my best to save their lives, and sometimes(God willing, every time), I will succeed. I will be called upon to end lives. Are you OK with this? Are you not? Did you let the management know at the last board meeting? Will you ever? You don't have to see their faces, and that is OK. I swear it is, because that's not what you are called to do. But for your own sakes make sure you had a hand it telling them yes or no, because if not, then it is your fault, and you have no place to complain.

You, however, have every right to do so because we put on a uniform that ensures that you can. (There's so much irony in this- and if you don't follow, check out the footage on youtube of hippies protesting the Marine Corps recruiting station in Berkley, CA. Those same individuals they protest guarantee their right to protest them. It really is funny, and at the same time is perfectly acceptable. I have more respect for them then they will ever understand.)

So now that I've made my position perfectly clear, I would like to present something to you:

Right now our leadership is trying to decide weather or not to send more troops (A "surge" if you will) numbering between 20,000 and 40,000 to Afghanistan. Right now they guy sitting to your left, and the woman three rows ahead of you is trying to decide the same thing. And they're going to tell somebody their decision. They're going to voice their opinions at the next board meeting. And I'm fine with whatever they decide, because it's my job to be.

However, before you decide, I want to you consider this:

Weather or not you agree with us being there, we are there. We are your sons, your daughters, spouses, and friends. And we are alone. My Infantry Battalion, among the best in the world, will be asked to secure 20,000 square kilometers, and protect all whom reside within.

There are less than 1,000 of us.

300 of our number are not Combat Arms. As Soldiers, they are all trained to fight, but their vital and important mission is to support the fight. Without them doing that, we cannot wage combat effectively.

So, if we pull them from their highly vital jobs, and are OK with not eating, or having water, or getting re-supplied with ammo, and ask them to join us, then every one of us will have only 20 square kilometers to guard by ourselves. That's one Soldier, perhaps your niece, to many, many miles of an unforgiving terrain by herself.

But of course that won't happen; it's not effective, so as a result we will be concentrated in only a couple of areas. Still leaving many people (ours and theirs) in a tight spot.

But if you do send us reinforcements, then that's less money for the economy. Less for new schools, new jobs, less for the people we are sworn to protect. And we're already stretched thin; we're deployed to every continent. And we're tired. We want to come home and spend time with out families. Our friends are being shot where they live and work, so we're a little testy right now.

This is just one small problem, one small decision being made about our fate that needs, that requires your input. There are many, many more if you care to hear.

So please, for the Love of God, consider these things, and say something. Or, if not for God, then for us. Or if not for us, then for yourself- after all, you foot the bill.

Happy Veteran's Day.

/rant