My father graduated from the Citadel Military Academy. He didn’t have a long career in the military, but his time there contributed to his character and helped to shape the decent and honest man I have always known him to be.

He is planning on attending his 50th Reunion this year. Many of his classmates have passed. Some from war. Some from age. I hope they all have a great time. They deserve it.

As a teenager, I didn’t get it. I grew up during a period where spitting on soldiers was accepted, movies portrayed them as mindless or crazy and the President pardoned those who would rather run than fight. I figured I was not the type to take orders and I passed on the military. My brothers did not join either. I think this was a great disappointment to my father, but he never really pressed us.

I get it now. If I had my youth to live over again, I would have served. I have many regrets and most of them pass quickly, but having never served at the wall to protect my country comes back time and again.

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