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

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...

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!

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!

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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