Some fond reminiscence for Veterans. And thank you for your service. YOU CAN LEAVE THE MILITARY -- BUT IT NEVER REALLY LEAVES YOU. This article sums it up quite well. By Ken Burger, The Charleston Post and Courier Occasionally, I venture back to NAS, Meridian (Mississippi), where Im greeted by an imposing security guard who looks carefully at my identification card, hands it back and says, Have a good day, Chief. Every time I go back to any Navy Base it feels good to be called by my previous rank, but odd to be in civilian clothes, walking among the servicemen and servicewomen going about their duties as I once did, many years ago. The military is a comfort zone for anyone who has ever worn the uniform. Its a place where you know the rules and know they are enforced -- a place where everybody is busy, but not too busy to take care of business. Because there exists behind the gates of every military facility an institutional understanding of respect, order, uniformity, accountability and dedication that becomes part of your marrow and never, ever leaves you. Personally, I miss the fact that you always knew where you stood in the military, and who you were dealing with. Thats because you could read somebodys uniform from 20 feet away and know the score. Service personnel wear their careers on their sleeves, so to speak. When you approach each other, you can read their name tag, examine their rank and, if they are in dress uniform, read their ribbons and know where theyve served. I miss all those little things you take for granted when youre in the ranks, like breaking starch on a set of fatigues fresh from the laundry and standing in a perfectly straight line military formation that looks like a mirror as it stretches to the endless horizon. I miss the sight of troops marching in the early morning mist, the sound of boot heels thumping in unison on the tarmac, the bark of drill instructors and the sing-song answers from the squads as they pass by in review. To romanticize military service is to be far removed from its reality, because its very serious business -- especially in times of war. But I miss the salutes Id throw at officers and the crisp returns as we criss-crossed with a by your leave sir. I miss the smell of jet fuel hanging heavily on the night air and the sound of engines roaring down runways and disappearing into the clouds. The same while on carrier duty. I even miss the hurry-up-and-wait mentality that enlisted men gripe about constantly, a masterful invention that bonded people more than theyll ever know or admit. I miss people taking off their hats when they enter a building, speaking directly and clearly to others and never showing disrespect for rank, race, religion or gender. Mostly, I miss being a small cog in a machine so complex it constantly circumnavigates the Earth and so simple it feeds everyone on time, three times a day, on the ground, in the air or at sea. Mostly, I dont know anyone who has served who regrets it, and doesnt feel a sense of pride when they pass through those gates and re-enter the world they left behind with their youth. I wish I could express my thoughts as well about something I loved -- and hated sometimes. Face it guys and gals - we all miss it............ Whether you had one tour or a career, it shaped your life.
Posted on: Mon, 10 Nov 2014 22:06:21 +0000
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