The realms of politics go well beyond appropriate borders and politically correct venues. My weekend was an example of this.
I met an ex-Army Ranger on Friday night in the midst of a DJ and rowdy-alcohol-drinking 20-somethings, mingling amongst a crowd of strange faces. He spoke of friends lost, the impact of the presidential election to those serving in the military, and of his time served. The passion that was so clearly conveyed even in the midst of a crowd left me awestruck and reflecting on our conversation since.
The passion most of us feel right now in the midst of the election is that of discouragement and confusion. How many of us have the same genuine pride for our country that most service men and women radiate when speaking?
These men and women are government officials in their own right and daily are the first contact that some foreigners have with our country. And their general attitude is not that of “me” but “we”. Rarely do you hear one speak of their individual accomplishments, but that of their specific unit and the accomplishments of the country in general.
As this year’s election approaches, I find myself torn between political and social lines with the more people that I speak to. I’m disappointed by our lack of concern for others and more concerned that we have continued to become a self-serving society.
I challenge each of us to sit down and hear the stories of someone serving in our military; and reflect on our own lives and decisions that are to be made on November 2.
Respond
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