Originally Posted by PoBugSmasher

ChinookDriver47,

I just wanted to say thanks for you service. It is appreciated, deeply.

I am a little older than most here, I think. I have chosen not to serve, in the military, although I have been very close to joining, a few times in my life. I took to heart things I heard from guys like yourself, and weighed the pros and cons. Ultimately, I looked at it like any other job, what are the risks/benefits/payoffs. I whole heartedly agree, that no one in a combat zone is being adequtely compensated (is there such a thing?)

Sometimes, I feel guilty for not having done my part for my country, but then agian, many, many, people before me, paid the ulimate price, so that I might live in a country where I have the choice. If my country calls me, I will be there. In the meantime, I am bit**ing and moaning about how tough I have it, like the rest of the civilians, here. But I know that we are comparing apples to watermelons.

I think many here forget what our troops are going through, because the media would rather talk about which celeb is in rehab this week, than about combat deaths. (stories, not just numbers) No one knows how to report actual news anymore. I think it is slowly killing our society.

Thanks again, and stay safe.