Thank you, Harold Kitson, for your words of support - I retired after 24 years of service as a first sergeant of Marines - Sgt. Major is the next higher rank, to which I aspired.
Matt Perry, it's obvious you and I disagree on many issues - I won't change your mind and you can't change mine - so I'll not engage in a letter-writing contest - but I'll respond to a few of the most "interesting" items.
Item: To quote the Military Times on any survey or poll conducted by that group is ridiculous! The Military Times is owned by the Gannet Newspaper Group - and the only newspaper to the left of a Gannet publication is either TASS or PRAVDA - a great many active duty and retired (like I) military have canceled their subscriptions to the Times. Fact: I have, as a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, interviewed a great many returning Iraq and Afghanistan war warriors, men and women, they all said they were proud of what they were doing in both areas and were ready to go back to finish the job!
Item: I do not support those who dissent - but I fought for and will continue to defend their right to to dissent.
Item: Don't quote Stephen Colbert to me, or I'll quote Rush Limbaugh to you!
