Well said.

p.s. Smedley Butler had it right too.

It’s not like the movies. We aren’t defending our country.

It hasn’t really been that way since Vietnam. Bombing countries into our version of peace, is not defending our country. I know a lot of veterans join for economics or training, were drafted or joined to keep from being drafted, actually bought into hung ho aspects, etc. Some just like the bullying and tactical aspects.

But, this man tells the truth. Reminds me of lyrics from a great song from the 60s:”A sad old soldier once told me a story about a battlefield he was on. He said, son, you must never fight for glory. You must know what is right and wrong.”

Kudos to this veteran.

World War 2 I'm unsure about simply because there may have been ways to prevent it, but that is with 20/20 hindsight and to pile on another metaphor, the deck would have been seriously stacked against us, especially with internal enemies to the Constitution that were plotting to overthrow FDR.

The books I've read that to me are like "The Heart of Darkness" of the United States:
Lies My Teacher Told Me
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee
The Imperial Cruise
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JFK:_The_CIA,_Vietnam,_and_the_Plot_to_Assassinate_John_F._Kennedy

and maybe Korea. But after that, I just don’t see how anyone could really think what we were doing was right.

history as much as anyone. A guilty pleasure, but I worry about the books, the ship models, etc. giving the wrong message to the kids.

This vet's eloquence was so moving, and his observations were spot on. I hope this video goes viral. I will do my best to disseminate.

The reason, her son, my great nephew.

I started off encouraging her to watch documentaries.

I told her about my personal experiences as a navy wife for 9 years.

I gave her titles of articles to read.

We watch documentaries together when she comes to visit.

She watched The Vietnam War/Ken Burns.

Her father is a Vietnam Vet.

He voted for Trump.

She was a Bernie supporter.

She voted for Hillary.

They disagree on many many things.

It worked.

She has chased off multiple recruiters.

She doggedly talked to her son about the true purpose of the military.

It worked !!!

Garrett, my great nephew, starts his second year of college in the fall.

He got a small scholarship and some financial assistance.

No loans so far thank goodness.

He was on the Dean's list.

He has zero interest in the military.

I hope the draft never comes back !!!

What they say is the same but it still is true.

if you can, go to college first and then join as an officer. If not then enlist. If you are intelligent and good with foreign languages and haven't been arrested, there are many jobs where you are not allowed to go into a combat zone. I was in the army from May 31, 1963 to May 29, 1967. I got out one day early because the next day was Memorial Day. I was never in any danger more than paper cuts. Semper Vigiles (Vigilant Always)

quite like this...and from a veteran to boot. Thank you for posting this.

It should be discussed in history class or civics class.