The United States made a contract with me, that if I did well, served my country, kept my nose clean, I could earn a pension and veteran benefits. I think I honored my part.
Like 90% of us veterans, I really never saw a shot fired in anger. We sacrificed. I spent months away from my family at times, worked some 16-18 hour days, slept in a three-high rack that prisoners would consider cruel and unusual, got a couple of fairly messed up knees from walking probably 30,000 miles of ladders in my time, but I honestly believed I was doing it for a higher cause. Aside from a couple of cheap ass SCUD missiles thrown our way, and the one-time I had to dive under a desk when they sent a bunch of us Sailors over to the "sandbox", I was "in the rear, with the gear".
I have been retired well over a decade now, but I know that a lot of the people I trained are now in leadership roles. I am also pretty sure that some of the practices and processes I helped put in place are still being used.
I honestly don't think I did anymore for this country than a school teacher, accountant, bus driver, construction worker, etc. They deserve the same respect for their contributions to America as I do.
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