Why We Fight. How Much Will America Sacrifice to Remain the Land of the Free?

2015-02-21T15:53:59-05:00

America is the land of the free because of the sacrifices that are made to keep it that way. During the time of our Greatest Generation, the popular slogan was "Do without, so they'll have enough." Has this become outdated thinking because we became the land of the entitled? Has our Nation forgotten that freedom is never free? How Much Would America Sacrifice to Remain the Land of the Free?

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2015 4:25 PM

2015-02-21T16:25:51-05:00

Good question, SFC Mark Merino. I think many in our nation have forgotten that freedom comes at a price, but there are some - and many of them are on this site - who know first hand (or close to first hand) that there's a price. And those folks, God bless 'em, are still thinking about doing with less to "they" will have enough. Great poster!

Response by PO2 Jonathan Scharff made Feb 21 at 2015 4:30 PM

2015-02-21T16:30:42-05:00

I think we have become the land of the entitled. However, we could get back on track with the right leadership. Those of us who lived through the 70's saw the transition from President Carter to President Reagan can attest to this. Not sure there is someone like that out there...but we can hope!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2015 5:28 PM

2015-02-21T17:28:22-05:00

That's a great question, SFC Merino. Normally, I try not to be too much the pessimist, but this is one topic area that I just can't get a warm and fuzzy on. With the sun setting rapidly on the Greatest Generation, we as a nation are rapidly losing touch with the last of those who truly know what its like to make do with less. Sadly, this coincides with the golden ages of instant gratification, easy credit, entitlement, government bailouts, unaccountability, and apathy. Granted, if something unprecedented occurred, it is possible we could collectively snap out of it, but I do believe it largely depends on the message being sent by the President. After 9/11, I was amazed at the crush of men and women who dropped whatever they were doing and joined the military - I was not prepared for that response! And that was sustained, for roughly 5 years afterwards. Now though, I just don't know...

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Feb 21 at 2015 7:48 PM

2015-02-21T19:48:23-05:00

Grandma had the BEST stories! Nowadays, I fear that mass rioting would break out and somehow it would be everyone's fault EXCEPT the rioters.

Response by SFC Walt Littleton made Feb 21 at 2015 8:16 PM

2015-02-21T20:16:24-05:00

I guess I can call myself and old soldier (retired in 95). I have to feel we still have in this country young people that when pressed will answer the call to action and many will be hero's. My sons have served through the mid-east conflicts and I say to fight a political war as we have done since Viet Nam there are no winners and loosers. Iraq is prime example. If we to war we to fight and conquer, occupy and instill democracy and freedom to all. Just like in Europe, we lead, we conquered, rebuilt and stayed there to see it through. If not Europe would have ended up just like Iraq today. Remember if we didn't stay in Europe like we did it would now be part of Russia. Go to war to win and stay until the job is done. Quit playing games and waiting 13 years of American lives which could have been over in the first or second year and we would have peace there.

Response by A1C Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2015 8:28 PM

2015-02-21T20:28:17-05:00

There's a lot of slobs out there today unfortunately. If we were ever in a war where we would have to start rationing I would say maybe 70% would do the right thing.

Response by SPC Charles Griffith made Feb 21 at 2015 10:47 PM

2015-02-21T22:47:33-05:00

To hell with doing with out. I say pass me that rifle I'll stand and fight WITH them ! ! ! ! !

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2015 11:26 PM

2015-02-21T23:26:52-05:00

They might give up a cappuccino. But not more than one a month.

Response by SPC Neil Hood made Feb 22 at 2015 1:35 PM

2015-02-22T13:35:44-05:00

I think the spirit still exists in this country. Sustaining it is the hard part. But the generosity of America, in my opinion especially for service members is there.

Response by MSgt Michelle Mondia made Feb 22 at 2015 3:11 PM

2015-02-22T15:11:30-05:00

Yes we forgot this...because it's volunteer military now. A draft would bring us all together.

Response by PO1 John Meyer, CPC made Feb 22 at 2015 4:04 PM

2015-02-22T16:04:56-05:00

I've been asking this for many years now because of the growing entitlement mentality.

We look back into history and find that WW II was NOT a popular war by any means, but yet, so many left homes and families to save Europe from itself and to free Asia from Imperial Japan. Sacrifices were made both overseas and at home. While many complained about the situation, they sucked it up and got the job done.

Today, I question our ability to do the same. There are so many that want something for doing nothing; I couldn't see them going without. There are also so many that want something for doing very little; again I couldn't see them going without.

But then, I hope we never have to find out if these entitlement people could suck it up in order to win a war.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Feb 22 at 2015 11:32 PM

2015-02-22T23:32:52-05:00

Does anyone even know how to grow their own food?

Response by SFC Stephen King made May 2 at 2015 7:01 AM

2015-05-02T07:01:16-04:00

Great question my personal experience is the few about 7% of Society who have or are currently serve to preserve all others their rights to express however they see it is the right to do so. Patriotism fluctuations have been short and it is a shame at the state of mind that is becoming the norm. I never imagined someone train vets and our symbol of freedom in such a manner of disrespect. Freedom isn't free it is because we those who have served and continue to serve put our lives on the line to stand up for all to be able to speak, display or act the way they feel about something or someone.