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: Santorum's Achilles' ear
Rick Santorum knocked everyone for a loop this week, not just with his victory in Missouri but with the landslide size of the thing.
-
Our View: Are school loans next 'debt bomb'?
The late American middle class struggled for decades to keep pace with an American dream slipping from its grasp.
-
Our View: A better way of limit terms
A Missouri House committee on Tuesday endorsed a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow lawmakers to serve 16 years in the state Legislature, either the House or the Senate.
-
Your View: Is it our fault?
When did coveting things and money take over character? What happened?
-
Your View: No way to run a school
All throughout the state of Missouri, you’ll hear much discussion about teacher tenure and the indefinite contracts that go along with that. Most — if not nearly all — jobs in the private and public sectors have no such career protection.
-
Your View: Prime suspects
If it’s too cool in the house, you can turn up the heat if you think you can afford it.
-
Our View: Worldwide concern
There is growing concern worldwide that Israel might launch an attack on Iranian nuclear plants.
-
Other Views: FAA deal up in air five years
The Federal Aviation Administration bill was delayed 23 times, but the agency finally has a law giving it $63 billion and full operating authority for the next four years.
-
Don Ray, columnist: Obama's pipeline excuse an election-year cop-out
On Jan. 18, President Barack Obama announced he was rejecting the Keystone XL pipeline project — a project that had its beginnings some 40 months ago (September 2008).
-
James Whitford, guest columnist: Broken people or broken system?
Are the people broken or is the system broken? If you walk into Watered Gardens, our rescue mission, it may seem the people are broken. But it’s a rescue mission. It just feels that way. And sometimes, it just looks that way.
- More Opinion Headlines
-
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate
US Airmen's Killer Sentenced to Life in Germany
Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria
Romney Slams President Obama at CPAC
Gingrich: Pres. Obama 'waging War on Religion'
Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords
5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La.
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
