This is a long post, but in light of current political situation it benefits those that take the time to read it. No doubt many people are waking up today and wondering what has become of our nation. I'm there myself. I've often said that if President Obama were re-elected, I would have to do an extra two years in the military because I want someone else signing my retirement certificate. Today, I just can't see that happening either. I find myself increasing looking at either early retirement or going ahead with the medical retirement I've been hoping to avoid.
But, then the patriot side of my psyche takes over. When I faced my first re-enlistment over 12 years ago, I seriously contemplated getting out of the Army. I wasn't happy then with the state of leadership I witnessed in my peer and seniors. There were some standout people that I looked to as role models, but they tended to be the exception rather than the rule.
Over time, that has changed for the better and for worse as those things tend to do. There are still many great leaders in the military, but they are becoming fewer and farther between in my opinion. This is evidenced, I think, by the continuing problem with suicides in the military. We simply aren't taking care of our troops.
But, then I got to thinking about the challenges our nation faced in the early years of our fledgling republic. It was Christmas night in 1776 and next day would mark Washington's famous crossing of the Delaware River. On the banks of the Delware about nine miles from Trenton, Washing was encamped with his troops preparing for a surprise offensive. Washington held out hope that this offensive would save his position as general and invigorate his troops. His troops were exhausted and the cold weather was weighing on morale. There was no supply of winter clothing or refuge from the winter that had turned oppressively cold. The British were beating them battle after battle. Washington himself faced the prospect of being replaced by a Congress that wasn't at all impressed with him.
Washington pulled his officers together and ordered them to read "The American Crisis" by Thomas Paine. Paine wrote this motivational essay on the back of a drumhead while he was embedded with Washington's troops. He was a passionate writer and believed in the ideals that America was trying to create. In spite of the negativity and pessimism that overwhelmed him, he believed in a higher purpose. The following day, those Soldiers scored a small victory at the Battle of Trenton that emboldened the troops and injected doubt into the minds of the redcoats.
Today, we face a similar potential crisis. Americans are growingly pessimistic. Patriots are angered and confused over last night's presidential election results. There is a feeling of impending doom as we face a looming "fiscal cliff," hollowed out military, and overly intrusive federal government. We have an executive branch that succeeded in polarizing the nation to such degrees that there was talk of violence over the election results.
(excerpt) Read more at floppingaces.net...
