I don’t recognize the United States shown on the news this past week. The images were so troubling it makes me question if the United States is what I have always believed it to be, or if this is the start of a terrifying breakdown of the social contract.
The nature of real Americans that I have treasured for 70 years has nothing to do with the behavior exhibited by thugs led by an elected sociopath last week.
My family has served our country for over four generations, primarily as Marines. My grandfather in World War I; my father in World War II and Korea; myself and three of my brothers during Vietnam; and now my nephew is serving as a Navy SEAL.
When our country called us, we served; we believed in democracy, the basic rightness of our country and the concept of protecting and serving all Americans. Last week in America showed not just a deeply divided country, but also one in which some citizens seem to be terribly confused about what an American actually should be.
I constantly hear people saying that they believe in freedom and are patriots. But was the insurrection in the Capitol the act of freedom-loving patriots or simply pathetic crybabies acting out by committing treason?
Barely 1% of Americans are now serving their country and only 2% now living have ever served. Why the hell is that?
Just where are all the freedom-loving patriots now?
William T. IvisonDurango
