Concerning Larry Wood’s letter (Globe, Aug. 24) on whether those in the military should be honored as heroes, I think he should contrast the hardships, difficulties and self-sacrificing experienced by those in uniform.
Minimum fitness and weight standards must be maintained to keep their position and to be eligible for advancement.
They must leave friends, family and loved ones behind to go wherever needed. They have no choice where they are sent, even if they are married to a service member. They must assign others to assume custody of their children in the event of sudden deployment or if they are assigned a duty station that does not allow family to accompany them.
They forfeit a minimum of six years of life and career advancement to serve our country. When discharged, the veteran receives a plane ticket to the city and state he or she started from and must start over from nothing, without severance pay, a job or medical coverage.
They must travel light, so valuables and keepsakes are not encouraged. Vehicle and home ownership is difficult if not impossible.
They support and defend our Constitution although they have no rights or voice themselves. If a doctor is negligent, there is no lawsuit filed. If a military member becomes unfit for duty, for any reason, they are out of work.
They are paid less than minimum wage, but must be ready at all times to do their duty. They are sent into harm’s way, without bonus pay, and somehow find ways to get the mission done.
Why criticize a good thing done by someone else?
Sherry Woitowitz
Neosho
Opinion
Voices: Military are heroes
- Opinion
-
-
Our View: Victims should come first
Millions of dollars in donations have poured in from around the world since the May 22, 2011, tornado. Those donations represent money from lemonade stands, charity auctions, corporate gifts and celebrity checks, just to name a few. In fact, one year later donations continue to come to Joplin.
-
Beth Meeker, guest columnist: Same-sex marriage battle a quest for equal rights
I would like to take a moment to reply to guest columnist Anson Burlingame’s, “The Marriage Debate” (Globe, May 13).
-
Sunday Forum: 2012 graduation speakers key on tornado, mall school and president’s visit
Editor’s note: In addition to speeches by President Barack Obama and Gov. Jay Nixon, Joplin High School’s top students addressed graduates, faculty, parents and other guests packed into the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center on the Missouri Southern State University campus. Following are the text of those speeches.
-
Geoff Caldwell, guest columnist: Pack mentality takes truth as a casualty
President Obama’s Joplin graduation speech Monday showed that while there’s the political “right,” there’s also a very active “rabid” political right.
-
Your View: ‘Study’ can mean anything
A few evenings ago, I watched a television program on the science of marriage.
-
Our View: Support for museum
How can you tell the story of Joplin without the accounts of its mining history?
-
Our View: Finding middle ground
The G-8 summit held last week in Camp David ended as expected.
-
Anson Burlingame, guest columnist: Class of 2012 upholds character, hope
My oldest granddaughter was part of the class of 2012 from Joplin High School, and I attended the ceremony on Monday night.
-
Scott Charton, guest columnist: 'Deadline in Disaster' film a story about storytellers
Local newspapers are at their best when they help their communities confront, understand, endure and overcome shared challenges.
-
Our View: Make voting easiser
This year’s ballot will not include a proposed constitutional amendment that photo identification be required at the polls in Missouri. Good.
- More Opinion Headlines
-
Our View: Victims should come first
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
