Since 1945, no one in the U.S. military has liked the end result of the military conflicts we've been in: Vietnam, Korea, certainly Iraq, and probably Afghanistan. But in a democracy, you salute.
Interpretation
The quote reflects the tension between military duty and the dissatisfaction with the outcomes of conflicts.
John F. Kelly expresses a poignant sentiment about the experience of U.S. military personnel in various conflicts since World War II. Despite the often unfavorable results of these engagements, the expectation in a democracy is that the military must respect and support the directives of political leadership, highlighting the complexities and sacrifices involved in serving in the armed forces.
In practice
This quote can be used in a veterans' meeting to discuss the complexities of military service.
Those with less of a sense of service to the nation never understand it when men and women of character step forward to look danger and adversity straight in the eye, refusing to blink, or give ground, even to their own deaths. The protected can't begin to understand the price paid so they and their families can sleep safe and free at night.
Unless confronted by an immediate, visible, or uncomfortable crisis, our nation's tendency is to take the security of the Western Hemisphere for granted.
The one thing I was always told is you absolutely have to tell truth to power. Whether you're a second lieutenant working with a captain and a lieutenant colonel, or a four-star general working with the Office Secretary of Defense and the White House, the decision makers have got to have ground truth.
We have a saying in the Marine Corps and that is 'no better friend, no worse enemy, than a U.S. Marine.' We always hope for the first, friendship, but are certainly more than ready for the second.
Whether you're a second lieutenant working with a captain and a lieutenant colonel, or a four-star general working with the Office Secretary of Defense and the White House, the decision makers have got to have ground truth. Otherwise, the decisions they make could be flawed - and that can be dangerous.
One day, you'll get out of the Marine Corps; you'll put your uniform up, but you'll never not be a Marine.
Money is really worth no more than as it can be used to accomplish the Lord's work. Life is worth as much as it is spent for the Lord's service.
Blameless people are always the most exasperating.
I am not my childhood,' Snowman says out loud.
Logically, harmony must come from the heart... Harmony very much based on trust. As soon as use force, creates fear. Fear and trust cannot go together.
We never fully grasp the import of any true statement until we have a clear notion of what the opposite untrue statement would be.
So when that Angel of the darker Drink, at last shall find you by the river-brink,_x000D_ _x000D_ And, offering his Cup, invite your Soul forth to your Lips to quaff-you shall not shrink.
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