When I think of the U.S. military I am awestruck by the things they have been able to accomplish in the free world. A look back through history reveals how our brave fighting men and women helped put an end to Hitler's march across Europe; stopped the Prussian uprising of WWI; freed the slaves with the civil war, and so many other things. But you know what amazes me the most? It's the fact that for the majority of our history, our military has been staffed almost completely by volunteers.
While it is true that conscription began in the United States as early as the colonial days, the vast majority of fighting men right up through WWII were volunteers. As an example, during the civil war the total number of troops enlisted by conscription was only 2%. Another 6% were paid mercenaries, meaning the remaining 92% were volunteers. That's absolutely astounding!
When I see military patches like the ones sold at thecheapplace.com, I often wonder if the wearer is a military vet or family member. I'm sure there are some non-military folks running around with patches on their backpacks or coats, but I suspect the majority of the wearers have served in the armed forces or sacrificially allowed their loved ones to serve in order to protect our freedoms.
Personally, I would never wear a military patch as I've never served. Not that I didn't want to, but health reasons prevented me. I volunteered for all four branches of the service but was turned down by each one, much to my chagrin. Nevertheless, as staunchly as I support our military I'm not one of them, and I therefore don't deserve to wear a patch.
I have the utmost respect for the jarhead who wears the Semper Fi patch of the U.S. Marine Corps and the Navy man declaring 'Brothers Forever'. My hat's off to the army grunt with the U.S. Army Retired patch proudly displayed on the shoulder. The same can be said for the Air Force veteran proudly displaying the airborne rocker patch or the Coast Guard member wearing the golden anchors of the U.S. Coast Guard emblem. I cannot thank these men and women enough for the sacrifice they make for my freedom.
I often wonder what I would have done have had I been old enough to be drafted during Vietnam. Back then I didn't value freedom and liberty as I do today. I'm sure I would have gone...but there's no doubt I would have gone reluctantly. Now, as a middle aged man who understands liberty and freedom, if I were called to active duty I'd go in a heartbeat. I'd be proud to wear the patch of whatever military branch would have me. I'd be proud to fight alongside like-minded men and women striving to preserve the United States of America.
So while they won't take me now, I can still pray for them, shake their hands, and fight for them at the ballot box. It's the least I can do.
