Well, thank you for the compliment to my family, extended even. This country, its founding documents and republic, even the people to some degree (although there are some that test this resolve) deserve service, loyalty, and sacrifice -- but the ones who are in charge of it and their supporters don't seem to value any that, nor even this country.

Maybe that will change, and hopefully soon. But, until that day arrives...we're out (and doing what everybody else seems to be doing: getting ours). This is a very disillusioning process -- some people need to have ideals; I hope some of mine don't go too bad for not having any to strive for...sheepdogs need those certain sorts of jobs after all...

Thanks for the compliment, however: My husband is out, and so are our cousins. My kids have been in for some time now -- the one with the least time in is nearing the four year mark; the other is nearing the 13 yr. mark. The same goes for our cousins' children; they all have served 4- 20 yrs. in and thus have paid enough dues. So, they serve out their enlistments, which will soon be coming up, and that's it. Our youngest (all of us) have not reached the age to enlist, and I am hoping that some ur-catastrophe changes the course of things, but at this point we've done our time and there is nothing left but being hounded out or being punished for actually believing in that oath.

Enough is enough.