As an American Servicemember (Active Duty or Retired) what can we do to make America a better place to live?

One of the lessons I took from my grandparents was to lead by example. Show proper respect to elders. Treat everyone fairly and honestly. Shirk no duties - especially jury duty - back then there was no $5 a day and a meal - you went, sat, listened, judged and went home. When our military men/women came home we had a party - not because it was expected, but because we were glad our family members and town members were home. We saw the differences in what our men/women came home as - some missing limbs, but all changed. We couldn't understand what had changed (how could we? we had no point of reference.) but we knew that war had somehow changed them. We saw the difference in how our returning vets had a different point of view about the world. They had a 'bigger picture" of how the world was interlinked. Many spoke out about how things that happened thousands of miles away actually affected us - something a simple country boy like myself could only shake my head at.

But we could see our military men/women had been changed. I used to sit and listen to the men talk about people, places, things that happened a world away. Then the war hero's went to work.

So...how do we, today, our group/generation(s) tell our side and have people understand. Action speaks louder than words. We become leaders in our communities. We don't have to get into politics, but we can still be leaders. We demonstrate our leadership and expanded world experience in our daily lives and actions. When someone pipes up with a statement that is patently a lie - we speak up, politely, with true facts and knowledge from our own experience. We are trained to be disciplined, courteous in our comportment - we show this daily as a civilian. When questioned about our knowledge of world affairs we speak honestly - not from a youtube or twitter blast - but from our own personal knowledge. We are not ashamed or afraid to render honors when we see the colors passing, going up or coming down - we demonstrate the proper way.

By our actions, people will see the difference in how we behave and the general public. They will know "something" is different. They will see and know that we are the "real deal" by our actions and then we can teach.

True story: I walk daily. Not as far / fast as I'd like, but I do it religiously. Part of my walk takes me by several "old timers" who have flags in their yards. Each time I approach I render honors. After several years of this folks have become accustomed to seeing me render honors - and sometimes it's embarrassing because people actually come out to see me render honors. One nite, I was running a bit behind in my time schedule and had just started my walk - about 30 minutes later than normal - it's getting dark. I approach the first flag and render honors, moving on. As I approach the end of my walk it's getting darker and darker. I see folks ahead in the streets probably 20 or so ....there's a big truck in the streets, yellow lights flashing. As I approach the house I can finally see what's going on...the truck is one of the big electric company trucks and its search light is shining on the colors. There's an old, wizened gentleman standing with a cane and five young children (grandchildren?) all standing at attention. As I look around, one of the younger women from the neighborhood said: "he made the electric guy wait for you cuz you're not supposed to have the flag up without a light and his light is broken". I stop, face the colors and come to attention. I render honors. The young ones all put their right hands over their hearts. I count to 21 and lower my salute sharply. A little boy looks up at his grandfather and asks: "why can't we salute like he does?" Grandpa says: "because he earned the right, just like your daddy did before he was killed."

The old gentleman looks at me and nods........ I walk away with a tear in my eyes.....

Try to live an ordinary life. Take pride in your family, home and work. Get involved with a charity you are interested in. Vote! Introduce your kids to history and get them involved in the scouts, young marines, sea cadets or 4H. Talk up your military service when you get the chance too.

As an individual, you can make the most impact by being involved in your local community (however you choose to do so), and VOTE, locally and nationally.