I proudly served in the U.S. Air Force for 21.5 years and I would have gladly fought and died to defend our rights and freedoms. During that time I lost 30 friends in airplane accidents and know deep loss.

My greatest fear of any war is the human loss both sides will sustain. This is the greatest tragedy of any wartime conflict. It’s not who wins or loses, because when it comes to the loss of life both sides truly lose.

I know sometimes war is inevitable to rid the world of a madman such as Hitler or Saddam and it is unfortunate neither seemed to listen to reason. I am greatly distressed about the number of U.S. citizens criticizing our elected officials and military right now.

I remember when I first went into the military in 1978 going off base in uniform one day and getting spit on by a local resident who thought all military guys were war mongers.

How do you think that made me feel? I urge all of you to suppress your urge to criticize our leaders and military because they all have a job to do and need your support.

President Kennedy said it best in a speech he made, “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.”

Ron Majors
working on a master’s degree in Christian Ministry from Abilene