Patriotism and the quandry of enlitstment... Thank you "Texas Teacher" for your great comment on my last post. I hope you don't mind if I copy part of that quote up here to the main blog page.

"That presents a quandry for me. As the mother of sons who, in not many years, may feel that calling to enlist, I hope and pray they never have to. In fact, as a mother, I would almost rather say "let me go to defend my sons who have their whole lives ahead of them!" However, my sense of patriotism tugs at me and tells me I should be proud that I have taught my boys to feel that same sense of patriotism, to the point they are willing to put their lives on the line to defend this nation - the good, the bad, and the ugly!"

I agree so much with you on that point. In fact my little sister and I were just discussing how we felt when CPL Engstrom (Hal, our brother) enlisted after the 9/11 attacks. During the month of September, we were all very verbal about "getting" the terrorists. When Pres. Bush started talking about the War on Terrorism, we raised our voices in agreement. "Yes! We must fight these terrorists!" But when OUR OWN BROTHER enlisted to help out with the war... "WHOA WHOA... just hold on to your burka a minute there. MY BROTHER is going to be put in harms way??"

That's when you realize, and have to come to grips with the fact, that Freedom isn't free. It's costly. And it's not just something you can throw money at. Freedom is paid for with life and limb. When Hal enlisted we all had to come to grips with the thought that he would be put in harms way, and that the freedoms human beings deserve (not just Americans) might cost him his life. But if we aren't willing to have a loved one die on the battlefield, then we aren't deserving of the freedoms that these sacrifices pay for.