Every time I see or hear someone praise servicemen for fighting to preserve our rights, I smile and so do most of the veterans I meet, because the praise is derivative and perhaps overstressed.
Ever since the founding of this country, with the possible exception of the War of 1812, at no time has the survival of this country and the documents that go with it been a serious concern. And, too, there had never been a pre-emptive war started by this country until 2001 and until that time we had been the aggrieved and the aggressed upon.
We were fighting back against the bad guys, those who had tromped us to start things off. Destroy them, wipe them out, make them sorry they ever messed with us.
Philosophy was not a strong motivator, but emotion, pride, and personal survival were. The flag was an inspiring symbol, but the Constitution and the Bill of Rights were seldom, if ever, thought of by the people doing the work. But any praise is nice.
Guthrie Worth
Lakeport
