My father passed away on May 2, 2011. He served in the United States Navy for 26 years and retired in 1976. Mr. Alexander's tribute does honor to him and all guardians of liberty who have died to preserve this great nation. America has fallen on difficult times, but we must persue the promise of liberty passed onto us by our forebears with diligence and perseverence.

I was very touched today with the Memorial Day Post. I started reading and welled up immediately. I come from a very proud military family and have had may friends who have served, and now their sons and daughters serve. After 911, everyone's mantra was "We will never forget", but I heard that growing up. Thank you and God Bless for your beautiful tribute today!

Mark -- so well said, I cannot add another thing to your observations and commemorations. The juxtaposition of BHO and Ronald Reagan is telling and quite the contrast. May God continue to bless America in spite of the current resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, and let us pray for a return to the principles that established our heritage in the first place.

As the mother of a 2Lt. (US Army, currently assigned to: 1-77 AR, 4th BDE 1st AD, Fort Bliss, TX) who was given his first Platoon Leader assignment yesterday and the daughter of a Command Sergeant Major (now deceased), I offer a "Well Said". I have for years been incensed at the cavalier attitude towards Memorial Day, none more so than last year when the CINC chose not to lay a wreath at Arlington Cemetery (apropos that he was "rained out" in Illinois). My father fought in WWII, Korea & VietNam and my son is preparing to deploy to an "austere" Iraq in 2 months. I will be spending my Memorial Day "holiday" in reflection, prayer and appreciation for the service, sacrifice, and selflessness of my son, father and all members of our Armed Forces. Hooah!!!!

God bless our troops and their families ... patriots all!

Well done!!!!! I could not have said it better myself! May God continue to Bless and keep the United States; may He bless and keep those who are serving our nation and those families who have loved ones who paid the SUPPREME cost that we Americans everywhere may still have the United States o America as our home!!!!

As the daughter, grand-daughter, and niece of WWI and WWII Army veterans, the wife of a retired USAF Veteran, and the mother of a US Marine Infantryman...I offer my love, thanks, and respect to all those who have given the ulimate sacrifice, and pray for the safety of my own son. Knowing he, too, could be called to give his life for our great nation. Fantastic article, with quotes from those that truly cared about our nation and above that-our God!

Very nice tribute.

Mark, I've enjoyed your writings a long time, but you will NEVER top this one. I admire you.

Larry

A most wonderful Tribute to our Valiant Veterans. The MacArthur quote is magnificent.

Notice in all the pictures the high standard of dress and decorum. I would that all people who attend these solemn ceremonies would come "dressed for Church." These ceremonies are not a

"prelude to a picnic". We must as Americans be careful to show our dignity and refinement by careful attention of these particulars at Public commemorations that demand respect and solemnity.

I'm sorry, but these are serious, solemn ceremonies, Our Veterans gave their ALL and we need to show respect and regard.

Well Done, Veterans

God Bless You

For God & Country

GOD Bless every man and woman who is serving, or has served, in the Military of this great Nation. They deserve to be honored each and every day. From a U.S.NAVY retired Chief Petty Officer(1958-1978)

Thank you Mark, for your wonderful tribute...

So few Americans understand the concept of sacrifice. To most, sacrifice means doing without the most current electronic device or more than one vacation a year, whether or not they can be afforded.

To those who continue to honor the land of their birth OR of their choice (legally) by standing ready, I pray they will not pay the ultimate price. My eternal gratitude is theirs.

All of us that live in safety and freedom due to the diligence and sacrifice of our citizens that have offered their lives to preserve our free Republic must in times of threat to the liberty and rights we hold dear not shirk from our responsibility to stand up to those forces that work to transform our freedom into a communistic, socialist Marxist utopia where our freedom and rights are to be replaced by the tyranny of the rule of men.

Whither you are a member of our armed forces or a citizen soldier, every man, women and child must stand up and be counted on to preserve that freedom which we hold dear; that is the true way we can honor those who gave all for our freedom..

Today the battle is not only on some foreign shore for the preservation of our Republic, the battle rages here in our own cities, towns and hamlets in opposition to an elected elite who has demonstrated they have no loyalty to the limits they accepted through their oath of office. Let’s not be fooled into thinking our sacrifice can be anything less than our fighting men and women make daily in our fight against those forces that would defeat our way of life and subjugate this population of a free people.

Those who have worked themselves into a position of power through lies and distortions and then violated their oath of office to exercise a power not granted in their quest to transform our Republic from the rule of law to the tyranny of the rule of men must be defeated.

When the founders of this great nation placed their signatures on our “Declaration of Independence” they were immediately labeled as criminal traitors and were consigned to death at the hands of the tyrannical rule of King George III. Those of us that fight the tyranny of the rule of men in this county today are demonized by that group that is dedicated to transforming this nation into another failed Marxist experiment.

I could go on and no but I am sure I am preaching to the choir.

While reading "In Honor of Fallen Patriots," and tears streaming down my face, I was moved again to pray and remember. A few years ago all 3 of my sons served simultaneously in the Marines, Army and Air Force. One still serves today. What a great honor it is for a father to have your posterity serve your country. I served during Viet Name but was not deployed there. My heart still breaks for my son who lost close patriots in Iraq, as it still breaks his heart also at this time of year. Thank you for the inspiring writing.

Mark Alexander for President 2012!

Memorial Day was established during The War Between the States or as I was taught The War for Southern Independence for Yankee dead not Southern dead! Confederate Memorial Day is still April 26th!

I see nothing in The American Empire today which resembles the Republic our Founding Fathers gave to us in 1787.

Jack -

I thought that it was the war of northern agression! ;-)

Excellent writing, above and beyond your normal standard. We must constantly remind those of miniscule attention spans of the meanings of sacrifice, whether at Valley Forge, Malmedy, Khe Sanh, Fallujah, or Kandahar, in the interim or in support of the "teeth of the tiger". It grieves me to see the arrogance of those in the present administration, most of whom would bolo a basic National Agency Check for the lowest of security clearances, but are placed in authority and entrusted with the the security of the nation nonetheless.

Please pause to say a prayer for those who have given the ultimate sacrifice, those who are presently serving, those who have served, and for their families, for they, too, know the meaning of selfless sacrifice.

God Bless All, from our Founding Fathers and all the patriots of that time up to now and those who will follow their hearts in the future to serve honorably and in defense of our Constitution as Rule of Law as per the Oath they take. Today in all agencies of our present day government there are those in our top-heavy federal administrations that have taken their oath's lightly and have become quite treasonous during their terms of office. This was never supposed to be the case and Mr. Mark Alexander has written a most superb article about this problem. The soldier, however, whatever the branch they serve in, has not stained his honor or shirked his duty as have those at much higher levels of government. Let us always remember and give our humble Thanks to those who have paid the ultimate price and be Thankful to those still serving. However, let us also not forget that here at home we have an escalating battle brewing against a domestic, elitist enemy as well. We still have time and use of the weapon of the "vote" to fight that enemy within our own ranks. Hopefully, we will not have to resort to other weapons to regain control of our country but if it must be then the "The Tree of Liberty" shall again drink of the Patriots blood and her enemies. God bless you all...those that Love Freedom and Liberty and serve honestly and honorably to preserve it.

Thank you, Mark! You embrace all important points with rapier accuracy! The comment in re "fitness for command" is most significant. This man, Barack Hussein Obama,a/k/a Barry Sotero , has demonstrated repeatedly his lack of fitness for command! No other circumstance need enter the conversation! The man consistently demonstrates his abandonment, dereliction of his Oath of Office, therefore his duty to the Republic. He is "Unfit for Command." Why then is he still in command? ! I would not follow this man, and I would not care to lead him, either! Semper Fi! My reverent salute to all those I served with, and especially those in the "deep six". Robert, E8, 26+.

Senior Chief, I couldn't have said it better. A advisor in my bank, thanked me for my service and asked would you do it again. I said absolutely without hesitation. She said that's what hear from all of you guys and gals. I then added my statement was accurate until about 2`1/2 years ago. I am so fortunate now that I am retired so I don't have to refer to this fraudulent CINC as my boss. He is incompetent, he has lied, violated his oath of office and despises the military and this country that has done so much for him. Why does Congress ignore this?

Mark, on target. My greatest contribution was 123 combat missions in an unarmed electronic countermeasures A/C over the skies of of Vietmnam against the most heavily defended area in the world(Soviet technology). I'm grieved by the 50% in our country who have no idea what it takes to defend our sacred way of life. No less a warrior than Benjamin Netanyahu had to explain privately and publicly to our CINC this week the stakes for freedom which require eternal vigilance. In 1979 I became aware after 7 years since combat that we were in trouble as a country, corrupt from the top down. The freedom we enjoy is gifted to us by God and is worth dying for in spite of the other 50% who contribute nothing but enjoy the benefits. I finished up my tour with a humanitarian mission, Operation Babylift which crashed April 4, 1975 with 331 souls on board, 155 of which died in a rice paddy near Saigon. Even many of the Amerasian children we rescued and brought to the USA became superstars. Just as the Jerusalem walls were down in Nehemiah's day, ours are down. I pray for Godly leadership in our country to rise up and take the moral highground back. We need to repent for our selfish attitudes and get back to the faith of our forefathers, warriors in their own right for the homeland. God Bless you and God Bless America. Proud to be an American/Christian patriot.

As a retired "blue suiter," I thank you for your tribute. I often feel guilty I couldn't have done more, but 26 yrs 7 months 19 days, it was time to move over and like most of the others, I would do it again, but for me personally, when Obama is gone.

Mark, your greatest contribution is the articulation of truth none can deny.

The big battle is not against flesh and blood (Ephe 6:12). But when the rulers, powers and world forces of this darkness deny Truth and consequently threaten to destroy others, we who have been empowered with Truth must defend it, even with our lives.

Freedom is the product of Truth. We may proudly laud our free press and assert it provides truth, but critical thinkers recognize the non-sequitor. History and current events provide abundant evidence to any not blinded by evil intent that where Truth is prohibited, freedom is lost.

Re: Jack Grigsby" It ires me to say you are correct. However you miss the point. It morphed into honoring all the dead. Yankee, cut the racism, or is it southern speak I mistook for something else? I held a soldier from TN, I lied to him, that he was going to live when I knew there was no way in heck. He gurgled as we said the Lords Prayer. He died in my arms but more impotently he died in faith. At that moment there was no kite, no coot, no Johnie Reb, no Yank, there was American soldiers who bled red and we all wore green.

I gave the order, he followed, he died. HE DIED AS A PROUD AMERICAN.

I recently with a partner of mine, asked the question, WHAT PRICE FREEDOM? Freedom must be bought with the blood of patriots, fought for in the halls of Congress.

I will never in my mind, dishonor them or cheapen there memory by saying I must honor there sacrifices on a different date.

The Civil War is over, there was no winners, only loosers. Let's move past the past. Learn he lessons it has to offer and become greater individuals and nation.

Mark has done a brilliant job

It's too bad that this cannot be posted on the front page of every paper in the country sunday morning, thank you

Gettysburg, Shiloh, Chickamauga, Belleau Wood, Normandy, Bastogne....

The brave men still lie there.

Until you walk some -- or all -- of those parcels of earth, the word, "sacrifice," is just a word.

Never mind what the Social Studies teachers spout from the school board's list of "approved texts." Go with your wives and children to these places. Let them experience what the price of Freedom is. Let them feel the silence of the ghosts who still live there.

Let them learn first-hand that there is no greater love than that a man should lay down his life for his friends -- or for the sake of complete strangers.

So well said!! ..and your comments accurately echo the feelings that many of us have about our great country and the awful betrayals.

I being a LEGAL alien to this great country and having served my time of 7 years in the Royal navy do with tears in my eyes think about all the US service men that without thought or rancour gave their lives in the WW11 and the middle East, that all should be free to do as they wish without control of the people wanting to rule the world and subvert the rest of mankind.

I do support all the fine GENTLEMEN and LADIES who are in the armed forces right now and are protecting us so we can live our lives in freedom

and not be dominated by subvertion of unlike minded folks around the world, who want their regime to be predominant above all others. I do thank the forces in their effort to resit that way of life, and do thank them most sincerely for their time served.

Thank you GENTLEMEN and Ladies.

Albert H Bond

EX Royal Navy.

Amen! Mark, Amen! Outstanding commentary. God bless all those who gave their lives that we might have the freedom to honor their sacrifice on Memorial Day.

Well said. I wish all Americans could read your tribute to our armed forces.

When quoting Bible verses I would suggest that you guys use the King James 1611 Bible, the Bible this country was founded upon, which is celebrating its 400th anniversary this year, and not one of those perverted versions (read New Age Versions by G. A. Riplinger). You will not drive anyone away when quoting the KJB, but you will when quoting the changed versions. Just a suggestion. I will hang in there for now, but if I continue to see perverted Bible versions quoted, I will be leaving. Not trying to be mean but this is a fact of life. John 15:13 KJB "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." Verses 12-14 are actually this... "John 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." KJB

Thought this was a very good article until I read the comments about President Obama. Then I realized this article was politicized. Not every president served in the armed forces, yet he is still Commander in Chief and has to answer for failures, why not the successes. Will you publish this disagreeemen from a 33 year retiree from the US Army?

No visit to the DC area is complete without even a brief stop at Arlington.

The changing of The Guard is more emotional than cermonial, the reading of the names on memorials is a reminder to all of who rests there and of the service that they gave to our nation

May we never forget.

May we forever give thanks.

Brilliant essay, Mark. And well said by all of our brothers-in-arms. We may jokingly squabble between the services, like siblings, but when a true threat arises, we band together, as Osama bin Laden recently learned.

Rifleman, you touched a chord.

From Lincoln's Gettysburg Address:

We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting-place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead who struggled here have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us --that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion-- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.

I have walked on the hallowed ground at Lexington and Concord, Yorktown and Valley Forge, Gettysburg, Chattanooga, Manassas, and Antietam, Bastogne and Luxembourg. And Dachau. Never forget. Niemal Vergessen. Ne jamais rien plus.

I totally agree that BHO is not fit to be the CINC. He could not pass the back ground check for even a Confidental Security Clearnce. So how can he be the CINC?

"CINC" was an unfamiliar acronym to me. It distracted from the article's momentum as I searched for its meaning.

"CINC"= Commander in Chief has been around for many years. CPO,USN,Ret

As an old warrior/fighter pilot....hear hear my brother. God Bless You and the United States of America. Tread on us at your own peril.

To my fellow Americans:

I would like to offer an observation concerning Memorial Day and its significance. Too many of our younger generation don’t understand, or haven’t been taught, the meaning behind this holiday. Some of our older population seems no longer to remember or care.

I was not born in this country, but this day holds a special meaning to me. Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those in uniform who have fallen in service to America, a day to remember those who passed in harms way, and gave all for our freedom.

I was born in The Philippines, the next to youngest daughter of Amado Palomaria, Sr. In his later years he was a local politician and a well-respected man. His younger years molded the man he was to become.

He married young and had two children. He returned home one day after an attack by Japanese aircraft to find his home destroyed and his wife and two babies killed by a Japanese bomb. My father became a guerrilla fighter. He fought, ate and slept beside the American soldiers who were fighting the common enemy. He fought bravely, and felt honored by the Americans when he was presented a helmet to wear in battle, even though some soldier had to die for him to receive it. He still had the helmet, and it was one of his most prized possessions, at his death.

After the war, he remarried, and the union produced eleven children. In each one of us he instilled his respect and admiration for the American soldier. Many Americans died so my country could have its freedom. The Bataan Death March should never be forgotten, but ask your children about it, and they won’t have an answer.

Through out the history of this country, when duty called, young men lay down their plow lines, left the factories, the office work, the construction jobs, and answered the call. Too many were left lifeless on the battlefield, many in my own country.

Because of the American Soldier, my country experienced freedom. A freedom that allowed a young girl (me) to leave a small village in The Philippines, to come to America and enjoy a career in music, and experience the American Dream that even our enemies envy.

One of the proudest moments in my life was on December 14, 2000, when I stood before Judge Henry Poliz, in Shreveport, Louisiana, raised my right hand, took the oath and became an American citizen.

Memorial Day is my day, a day of respect for those who have died preserving freedom in both my old country, and my new country. God bless every man and woman who dons the uniform and fights the brave fight. Without those whom we gather to remember on Memorial Day, we wouldn’t have a country. God bless you, G.I. Joe.

Sincerely,

Dee Ramirez

American

Thank you for that well written piece. I am giving the welcome at our local Memorial Day ceremony and plan to steal some of your words, Gen'l Mac's and RR's. Will definitely attribute to the Patriot Post.

Is he fit for command? Not in my lifetime.

At this time when we are remembering our brave heros who have kept our nation free, my mind keeps going back to nearly a month ago when the actions of our present Commander In Chief showed him to be a person who is not worthy to polish the boots of any Veteran.

Ever since the operation that culminated with the death of Osama Bin Laden I am repeatedly disturbed by the actions of Obama during the operation. The disclosure that he was playing golf immediately before or during the early part of one of the most significant events of his administration was beyond my understanding. The lives of many brave men were in jeopardy and deserved the full attention of those responsible for their actions. If nothing else, as a professing Christian, he should have spent the time in prayer for our brave SEALS.

I believe that if any worthy leader were in the position of the President during that historic time, golf would not have entered his/her mind. They would have been with the people who had planned the mission and were following its progress in real time.

I could almost be convinced that Obama didn’t even know that the operation was taking place until summoned to be with the other leaders.

Mr. Alexander I would like to thank you for the essay you wrote. I think it was one of the best you have written. My father and I have never served in the military but from an early age my father and my uncles who did serve taught me that the freedom and rights that I enjoy is because of those who served. My youngest son is serving in the National Guard and has already done a tour in Iraq last year and several Hurricane relief operations. I remember at his graduation ceremony at Fort Benning the General that gave the speech first asked for all the veterans in the audience to stand. He turned to the soldiers on the field and had them salute the vets. He proceeded to ask why today our heroes that we look up to was sports figures, music idols and not these men in front of us that protect our freedoms and rights with their lives. It was one of the most moving speeches I have ever heard. I am saddened today by what our country has become. Protesters at military funerals, Commander in Chief that has little or no respect for the military unless the press is around, Soldiers dying in foreign lands never making the news but Charlie Sheen waving a machete gets 15 minutes of fame. Memos from our Justice Department asking law agencies to watch returning soldiers from oversees because they may be a threat. There is little Honor and Respect left nowadays and I thank you for pointing that out. On Memorial Day I will be one of the millions barbecuing but only after I visit the cemetery and pay respect to the fallen. God Bless you and thank you.

Mark Alexander's editorial in honor of fallen patriots is wonderful.

I have not verified the veracity of the following. Perhaps there is someone in Israel who can check?

Dear President Obama:

I am writing today with a somewhat unusual request. First and foremost, I will be asking that you return America to its August 20th, 1959 borders so that Hawaii is no longer a state and you are no longer a citizen.

Sincerely,

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Well said. I also agree with those who understand the current war on freedom in the political arena. Let’s not forget however that the politicians are the end result stemming from the war on freedom waged for close to a hundred years in the classroom. Our centers for learning have been taken by the Socialist/ Marxist enemies to freedom. They have used Lenin’s salami tactic very well with great success. (Installing socialism one slice at a time). Its time for a new menu in school. Our freedom and rights are God given not state given which is why Socialist states have such a poor record of rights and large record of abuse and murder.

I join the others who vote your article Well Done.

In WW 2 my company was miraculously spared heavy casualties, Why, I do not know as others around us suffered badly. Wounded I do no remember, but "only" three killed. I will not forget these three and recite their names and a prayer every memeorial day and armistice day. Their memory is precious to me.

I Would like to personally thank all those who have served in the military for this nation. Whether it was right or wrong in the orders it sent you is not Germain to this message.

I appreciate you.

Today there are so few folks that really don't have a clue what this reverent day is all about. Some do know that it entails going to a cemetery and leaving flowers for their loved ones who have passed on. While this is a good thing, the soldiers who paid the ultimate price for our freedom (as your essay highlights), should be the most important thing on their list.

Unfortunately the majority of Americans never even go to a cemetery. They go camping or traveling because of the three day weekend. These Godless, barely human beings, only thoughts will be all about the weather.

God Bless our troops around the world and I pray not one will die in vain. And those Bless-ed men that have given their lives for our Republic over the two plus centuries, be at the right hand side of our Heavenly Father.

God bless you Mark and your staff for keeping watch over this once Great Nation. May we the people be worthy of God's blessings of Liberty and free agency.

Very good article Mark. As a 62 year old Viet Nam vet, I am so proud of our service men and women, and the welcome they get now when they return home. God bless America and the men and women that keep us safe, and our country great. Thank you.

Thanks, Mark, as always for your kind & inspiring words. My Dad was a US Army vet who served in the Pacific in World War II. He came home in June, of 1945, but stayed in the reserves as a quartermaster officer at Fort Lee every summer for more than 20 years, retiring as a Lt. Colonel. He died ten years ago, TODAY(May 30, 2001)!! So, Memorial Day has a dual meaning for me!!

http://WouldJesusCelebrateMemorialDay.com

I pray for God's blessing on America....that Americans remember....REMEMBER who they are, they are children of a merciful God that has blessed this country more abundantly than we realize....it is time for the blinders to fall off , for a returning to Almighty God for restoration of this land...nothing else will do it....turning away from Israel, turning away from God...look around...how is that working for America.....not well! "Choose you this day whom you will serve, but as for me and my family...we will serve God"!!!

Mark:

I was alone here in the house and read your commentary out loud to only myself. Now, for a change, this old retrired Marine is speechless. Thank you so very much for saying what most of us would have said had we the talent.

God bless you..... You are a great American!

Dinty

I'm fed up with all these racist bigoted Obama haters. Having a legitimate disagreement with the President's policies is one thing however the personal attacks on him are pure unadulterated racism.As a 60 year old African-American whose great grandfather fought with the 25th USCT to end slavery and restore the Union these attacks are a step back for this country.I knew racism and bigotry were still alive in the USA but I didn't realize how well organized and widespread it is. It took the election of a successful person of color who is the epitome of the American dream to bring the haters out of the woodwork. I still believe this Country is better than that. The haters are in the minority and always will be.

Just like love ................

Color has nothin' to do with it!

Nearly three weeks have passed since the 2011 observance of Memorial Day. Giving in to a mother's wish that her son not serve in this nations military, I ended the proud family tradition of father, grand-father, and great-grand-father. Yet the day still stirs in me pride in those men, in their service, and in their sacrifice. The day reminds me of buddies who have served, and returned home safely. For that, only God can take credit. I can not express the thankfulness that I have for those who serve our country knowing that they are expected, and may be required, to offer their lives that our Republic might stand firm. With each passing year, it is more and more vexing to witness the forgetfulness of a nation filled with so many self-centered people. People who not only disrespect the rule of law, but disrespect the offering and sacrifice that allows them to express that very disrespect. To these people, I would say "move on, leave this land and go some where else." To those who serve our Republic, and those who have given everything in that service, I would say "thank you," knowing fully the inadequacy of those words.

The United States Military will always lead the way for freedom for all. With the newest State Of The Art Hawaii Air Guard's F-22 Solar Powered Hangar and Maintenance Building Facility that will enable an incredible platform in Hawaii for the USAF and are Air Guard to be and stay the best in the World. This will Help ensure that we will always be able to protect our Nation's skies and the Pacific Ocean and beyond. July Friday 22,2011 F-22 Solar Powered Facility Project. Solar Energy is not new to the USAF although this is just the start to many more projects using Solar Energy Technology with the USAF.

United We Will Always Stand In God we Trust

True American Patriots

God Bless

The Lord's Little Helper

Paul Felix Schott

My youngest went into the Military and is in Japan and has been there since the Earthquake and Tsunami.

The problem today is less then one per cent of US citizens serve in the US military . There are over 300,000,000 people in the United States . If just a quart of that population served we would no problems with our defence or over seas commitments . I think we need to get back to the draft in order for our young to realize that freedom is not free. And as long as there are people and governments in the world that want to destroy our way of life we will need a strong military to preserve that freedom . May God Protect Our Military Personal .