As has always been the case in America, we get them from all walks of life, all colors of skin...they are the cream of our melting pot, risen to the top. These volunteers realize the threat to our very existence, and have answered the call in order to protect and defend their families and friends, and the American way of life. That may sound cornball to some, but I know and love many of them, and they are honest, sincere, strong, intelligent American Patriots. May God bless them, and give them (and all Americans) the leadership and support we need to defeat our enemies, foreign and domestic.
As for the current crop of 'leaders', and the dipshits that put them in the position of 'leadership' that they currently reside in, yes, it does beg the question of whether we deserve to have such great sheepdogs guarding over us...

I caught a bit of a Dennis Prager rerun in car today as he interviewed Leon de Winter. Subject was European anti-Americanism. Mr de Winter made the point that it was really an elite, political and media class sentiment, and that most middle/working class Europeans, had great respect for Americans, especially American military, who did so much for liberty in Europe. Mr de Winter offered what I thought was a good point: American fighting forces are invested with the idea that liberty is worth fighting and dying for, both their individual liberty and for a nation to be free of tyranny.

From whence they come, we know too well:
Our children, brave and true.
What we struggle with, and always must,
Is how to thank them that they do.

Why a son might risk his future
For his father’s weakening past
Is to ask an answered question
In America … may she last, may we last.

Penned only this evening for your website and in specific response to your post. I was inspired, which obviously doesn't mean talented.

I was thinking of this:

God of our fathers, known of old--
Lord of our far-flung battle line
Beneath whose awful hand we hold
Dominion over palm and pine--
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget - lest we forget!

The tumult and the shouting dies;
The captains and the kings depart:
Still stands Thine ancient sacrifice,
An humble and a contrite heart.
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget - lest we forget!

Far-called, our navies melt away;
On dune and headland sinks the fire:
Lo, all our pomp of yesterday
Is one with Nineveh and Tyre!
Judge of the Nations, spare us yet,
Lest we forget - lest we forget!

If, drunk with sight of power, we loose
Wild tongues that have not Thee in awe--
Such boasting as the Gentiles use
Or lesser breeds without the law--
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget - lest we forget!

For heathen heart that puts her trust
In reeking tube and iron shard--
All valiant dust that builds on dust,
And guarding, calls not Thee to guard--
For frantic boast and foolish word,
Thy mercy on Thy people, Lord!

Some see the poem as a recognition of a fall; I see it as acknowledgment that we do not do this alone, and can not claim to do any great endeavor alone, that failing to recognize that valor needs assistance that is more than valor is the great failing - hubris.

The teepee is the memory of valor, and the recognition that there is more.

Kipling really understood humanity, I think.

Love it.