The
0.45% who protect our nation
Last
week Al Qaeda militants took over the key Iraqi city of Fallujah – a city that
American soldiers fought valiantly to liberate just nine years ago. Unfortunately,
many Americans may not remember or understand the sacrifice of the veterans who
fought to free the city in the first place. The sobering news reminded me of recent
comments made by General David Petraeus thanking our veterans and noting the lack
of national sacrifice in the recent War on Terror.
Since
the tragedy of 9/11, just 0.45% of the US population has served in the War on
Terror. This is a lackluster statistic compared to the 11.2% who served four
years during WW II and the 4.3% who served twelve years during the Vietnam War.
While
the dangers to our country have intensified and grown more pervasive, a greater
burden to protect our freedom has been shouldered by fewer and fewer Americans.
Perhaps this trend has led to the unfortunate disconnect between the public and
veterans – today’s War on Terror seems distant in the minds of Americans. This
fact is unfortunate, yet unsurprising as less than one percent answer the call
to serve.
During
WW II and Vietnam, if your family members didn’t answer the call to serve, then
your neighbors and friends did. The sacrifice of the country was readily
visible. Today, that patriotic sacrifice made by military men, women, and
families is less apparent and less understood. However, the bravery of our service
men and women should not be any less appreciated.
These
short comments from General Petraeus are eye-opening and worth a read:
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