I have recently joined the National Guard and will be leaving for basic training in only a few short months. I'll be gone for 4 1/2 months. My decision to enlist has been met with many, many responses; from dissatisfaction to confusion to admiration. After everyone has expressed beliefs and opinions, there is one common question, "Why did you join?" At the end of the day, my answer is fairly simple.
I have way to much to lose. It's about my wife. It's about my son. It's about my parents, my brothers, my sister and their families. It's about my grandparents, my in-laws and my friends. I would be nothing without the influences of all these people. Of course we should always seek for peace, however we are also taught to 'defend [our] families even unto bloodshed'. Alma lists for us in the Book of Mormon the reasons the Nephites fought so hard against the Lamanites . . . "for this cause were the Nephites contending with the Lamanites, to defend themselves, and their families, and their lands, their country, and their rights and their religion." And when Captain Moroni saw that his men were 'about to shrink and flee from [the Lamanites]' he reminded them of the importance of the things Alma listed and they 'began to stand against the Lamanites with power . . . and they cried unto the Lord for their freedom'. There are people in this world that hope to take these things away from us. I don't want to look back in a year from now, two years from now or 20 years from now and think 'I should have done something'. I'm not sure we stop to think enough to realize that if our soldiers were not willing to go away to defend us, then those terrorists would be here. It's so important that we understand that the freedom we have is only because of people who promise to help us keep it. I can't afford to lose those things I hold so dear. In exchange for my service, all of you will be helping me go to college. Thank you, I couldn't do it without you.
5 comments:
That was pretty awesome and a good answer. I still can't really believe it. Love ya tons!
This is Destinee's friend from way back when. Last time I saw you I think you were in elementary school... I appreciate this post and admire your reasons for joining. Thank you for the reminder of why I get to live as freely as I do. May you and your little family be blessed.
Congratulations! I was wandering through blogs and came across yours... hope you don't mind.
My husband joined the Alaska Air National Guard 10 years ago. It has been an amazing blessing in our lives.
We'd never trade the experiences that we've had because of his service for anything!
Freedom does come at a price and unfortunately all it takes for evil to exist is for a few good men to do nothing.
So, thanks for doing something. Good Luck.
How awesome! You put your reasons for joining very well. I admire that answer.
hi i am elizabeth's friend Avery she is strange :) she is at my house
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