What's Still Great
The Men and Women of July 4
Who and what protects us day by day?
Let’s be honest. The world is in a terrible mess. The North Koreans have nuclear bombs and are getting closer to having a missile that can deliver them to America. They are also endlessly whipping up tension in their area of Asia and the Pacific. There could be war and the North Koreans have a formidable military.
Then there’s Iran, which is getting close to having nukes and already has at least some missiles. What will the world look like when Iran, which has stated its ambition to simply destroy Israel, has nuclear weapons and the means to drop them on Israel or Paris or New York?
In other words, there is a lot of danger looking down the road.
Yet, here in America, even in a recession, life is pretty lush for most of us: plenty to eat, in fact too much to eat. Air conditioning. Our families. Our dogs.
We swim back and forth in the warm pool of American comfort day by day.
And who and what protects us day by day? Who will have to face North Korea and Iran if the war comes? The men and women of the military. They sleep when they can in miserable Forward Operating Bases in Iraq and Afghanistan. They get shot at, mortared, rocketed, sniped at, ambushed by IED’s, come back home with limbs blown off or in body bags, shell shocked and lonely.
Their families wait in brave terror and dread anticipation.
And we swim in our pools and complain.
On the Fourth, let’s spare some prayer for the men and women who make America safe, who keep the wolf far from the door — as the American serviceman and woman always have; From Saratoga to Belleau Wood to Iwo Jima to Bastogne to Pusan to Khe Sanh to Iraq and Afghanistan, they have been there paying with their blood for our comfort and freedom. If we have freedom to celebrate again this year, it has been paid for, again, in the currency of the lives and limbs of the American fighting man and woman and their families. God bless them forever.
About the Author
Ben Stein is a writer, actor, economist, and lawyer living in Beverly Hills and Malibu. He writes “Ben Stein’s Diary” for every issue of The American Spectator.
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Big J| 6.29.09 @ 6:36AM
Not just on the 4th, Mr. Stein, but every day. Thanks for the article.
www.adoptaussoldier.com
A little means a lot to these brave men and women.
Kitty| 6.29.09 @ 8:15AM
I live in Upstate NY where several communities already celebrated Independence Day this past weekend. When I asked someone why, I was told because the 4th interfered with other activities. How sick is that?
...
KyMouse| 6.29.09 @ 8:19AM
Whenever I see a men and women in uniform, and circumstances permit it, I thank them for their service. Some have said that it means a great deal to them. God bless 'em all.
Darin| 6.29.09 @ 8:27AM
KyMouse,
As a retired military member, I can tell you that it does mean a great deal. The responses you get may not fully convey how much your thanks is appreciated, but that is only because most military members are not comfortable in such situations. We tend to have a great deal of pride, but it is mixed with humility, so we honestly don't know how to handle expressions of gratitude. Some do it well, others not so well, but I can assure you it is appreciated and remembered.
Old Texican| 6.29.09 @ 10:48AM
Amen, and Amen, Mr. Stein
Having spent many years of my life on projects around the world, I have had occasion to visit many of our embassies and consulates.
The State department pukes as a group were the sorriest excuse for Americans I have ever seen.
The exceptions shown like diamonds.
Conversely...EVERY SINGLE U.S. MARINE I MET IN ALL THOSE COUNTRIES MADE ME STAND A LITTLE TALLER AS AN AMERICAN.
As Civilian (start-up) Builders... (CBs) I had a lot of opportunities to rub shoulders with a lot of enlisted men in the field. Damn! they make you proud. (the carreerist officers not so much, but a lot of fine Jr. officers too).
God bless every one of you who served or serve.
Back home these years, I for one have your backs!
Pappy| 6.29.09 @ 11:42AM
Thank you for that tribute. I was one of those that came back with all my limbs intact and a better person because it. I was not your typical vet. At 51 I was a lot older then everybody in my company. Sometimes I feft like a camp counselor. Everybody including the Battilion Chaplain use to talk to me about personnal issues. All I did was listen. Being the old guy I guess it made them feel at ease with me.
The FOB I was one got hit a lot with rockets, mortors and the kitchen sink. One time they filled O2 bottles with c-4 put a rocket on the bottom and fired them at us.
I can tell you first hand that these attacks had no effect on the young Soldiers.
After one bad attack this young private said to me with a big smile on his face "Now that was a mortor attack". I thought to myself what balls. But this is typical behavior of those young heros.
I came home like I said with all my limbs intact but also for a deep love for the men and women of all the Armed Forces. I think about it everyday. Good and bad but mostly good.
Thanks Again for your kind words
JeffW| 6.29.09 @ 12:09PM
Amen Mr. Stein. May God always bless them.
ncatty| 6.29.09 @ 12:46PM
Remember the troops always. Remember those who died in the line of duty on Memorial Day. Honor veterans on Veterans Day. Celebrate the birth of our Nation on the 4th of July.
R Redburn| 6.29.09 @ 12:56PM
As a quarter century veteran of the US Armed Forces, I can tell you that those who aren't a patriot when they join, sure as hell are when they they leave military service. However, depsite their patriotic fervor and willingness to sacrifice for the common good, their efforts would be meaningless without the support of the US Taxpayer, who funds their financial and logistical needs. So from us "Vets" to all of you who pay your federal taxes, honestly and completely, THANK YOU!
p.s. Mr Stein; we'd much rather you'd refer to the holiday by it's name, rather than the date. You can understand I hope that we're rather proud of those who gave everything so we could have an INDEPENDENCE DAY!
Michael Tomlinson| 6.29.09 @ 1:15PM
Want to really support the troops then demand Congress make all military pay (active duty, retiree, reserve and Guard) tax free. While a thank you puts a lump in the throat an extra bit of cash in the checking account will make life easier for those who volunteer to go in harms way to protect those who choose not to.
Jim| 6.29.09 @ 2:03PM
I'm wore the green suit, too; 2nd generation type, 7th Div. on the DMZ, '68, MACV south of Pleiku, 1969-1970. Nice to be thought of this holiday-but pass it on to the kids wearing the green now (or the camo)-they do the job and don't ask for much but our support. Give it to'em...Independence Day, indeed.
NavyBrat| 6.29.09 @ 2:59PM
Thank you, Mr. Stein, for the wholly appropriate tribute to our heroes. I can't convey the depth of my thanks & appreciation to those who hang it out each & every day to keep us safe. G*d bless them all.
"Freedom is not free, but the US Marine Corps will pay most of your share."...Ned Dolan
Amen!
Old Texican| 6.29.09 @ 3:17PM
Navy Brat
I had forgotten Ned's words. Thank you.
Tears burst from my eyes.
God bless the people in blue as well...they eat good until they die...die real hard.
The L*rd truly will weigh carefully.
Gill O’Teen ✝✡| 6.29.09 @ 3:47PM
I agree with Michael Tomlinson. Unfortunately, as even the most casual stroll through any cemetery in which many of our veterans rest in peace proves not even con-gress can repeal all the taxes these valiant men and women pay. God will refund the taxes they pay in blood. All governments in our country, national, state and local should permanently exempt all military and their spouses from the rest.
KyMouse| 6.29.09 @ 4:35PM
Darin, thanks for your answer to my comment. My father was one of those humble military men of whom you speak. When I was growing up, I was aware that he had been a captain in the infantry during WWII, and that he had served in the Philippine and Guadalcanal, among other places. He retired from the Army Reserve with the rank of lieutenant colonel in the 1960s.
What I didn't know until I was in my 30s was that he had won a Silver Star, Bronze Star, and two Purple Hearts. My mother finally told me that he had saved a whole lot of men under his command by crawling toward a Japanese machine gun nest and wiping it out single-handedly. He had never spoken of it to me. He was meant to have received a third Purple Heart, but she told me that he refused it, declaring that two were more than enough.
I wish I had heard more about his service from him before he died, but he never ever liked talking about it. I do know that his best friend was blown up right next to him.
His brother was a JAG officer at the end of the war in the Pacific, and he brought back a photo album of black-and-white photos of captured GIs who had terrible scars on the backs of their necks, from where the Japanese had partially decapitated them. The album contains lists of GIs with notes about their injuries. I'm going to suggest to his widow that she pass it on to an appropriate organization (VFW?) He was going to write a book about it, but never got around to it before he died.
God bless them all.
NavyBrat| 6.29.09 @ 5:06PM
Old Texican. Thanks! My Dad was pretty miffed when, at 6 years old, I told him I wanted to join the Corps. Even though I couldn't join, I always had an affinty for these special men. So did my Dad. He was one of the only dentists, wherever he was stationed, that was extended an invitation the the Marine Corps Birthday Ball. And he & my Mom ALWAYS went.
I also, obviously, salute ALL members of the armed forces who keep us safe & free. I can only hope that we can continue to be worthy of their sacrifice. Despite what our government says or does to the contrary.
WR Jonas | 6.29.09 @ 5:16PM
I love ya Ben and I love the stuff you write but you have to get over the silly idea that air conditioning is decadent or wasteful. Have you lived in the south at all? How about the folks in the south ignore the Yankees when they begin freezing their arses off?
If its too cool in LA come to south Texas for a couple of days and we'll put you up in some un air conditioned digs for awhile . I bet you'll be screaming about 3:00 am when your bed is sopping with sweat and you're gasping for air.
Its sorta like hell without the nice scenery.
I live here because I like it .
Big J| 6.29.09 @ 5:50PM
Correction:
www.adoptaussoldier.org
Thought about it on the way to another day in the South Texas Heat.
Although I must say, WR Jonas, I'll take 100 degrees plus our humidity as compared with 130+ that it already is in Iraq.
Again, God bless our brave men and women in uniform.
Old Texican| 6.29.09 @ 6:05PM
.....every single one of them...Navy Bratt!
...every single one!
Ken
Jim E| 6.29.09 @ 7:47PM
Years ago, half a world away, during a lull in a firefight I looked at a young, green replacement
next to me and said " It ain't like the movies is it kid?" He looked at me, lit a smoke and replied,
" f##k it, it don't mean nothing, more interesting than pumping gas". His response reminded me of a movie, The bridges at Toko Ri, where the admiral pondering the deaths of his pilot asked " Where do we get such men?" They come from a place that those on the left seek to destroy by stealth because they know that they cannot defeat them on the open field of battle.
Clyt| 6.29.09 @ 11:28PM
"And we swim in our pools and complain. "
Speak for yourself, you game show douche. I don't have a pool. Not all of us are rich. You and Woody Allen should have clueless party.
KyMouse| 6.30.09 @ 7:38AM
Mr. Stein, thanks again for this article. I always enjoy your writing, and I appreciate your strong stand for our troops and for unborn babies (and their moms).
I know this is OT, but since you love dogs, I want to share with you this little verse I found in a collection of poems that an English country church put together. The church had asked its members to submit a verse they liked, and many people contributed variations of this one. It's about the importance of doing unglamorous good deeds. A "stile," of course, is a series of steps over a stone wall or fence.
"Do the thing that's nearest
Though it's dull at whiles;
Helping, as you meet them,
Lame dogs over stiles."
I've always liked that, and I hope you do, too. Have a happy Independence Day -- woof!
Richard Baker| 6.30.09 @ 7:48AM
Too many fat and sassy Americans forget this:
"We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm".
George Orwell
To all veterans and those serving: Happy Independence Day!
Richard Baker
ex-SSG Infantry
US Army
Bill| 6.30.09 @ 12:42PM
Amen Brother. You don't need a pool or to be rich to appreciate the sacrifice our soldiers are willing to make.
John | 6.30.09 @ 5:10PM
Thank you very much for your comments. Not just Ben but everyone that responded. I was Air Force during the Viet Nam war and I have a son and daughter that are both Army now. They have both been to Iraq and back safely. My son has orders to go back very soon. My son believes in and loves this country so much that he has reinlisted. They both appreciate the prayers and the kind words when they are met on the streets. Sorry to say they still get negative remarks as well. The positive however greatly outnumber the negative. Thanks again to you all.
NavyMom| 6.30.09 @ 5:15PM
Thanks, Ben. Our son is serving in the Persian Gulf aboard a surface vessel on his second deployment, far away from his bride of only 6 months.
Pingback| 6.30.09 @ 5:44PM
Remember the Brave Military | Gryffn Musings links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Mary| 6.30.09 @ 6:25PM
Daily prayers go from this home for all who serve. My family served in every conflict from the Revolution up til WWII and since then in Iraq I and Bosnia, but I cannot understand the idiocy of those who now rule Washington.
stuart carrol| 6.30.09 @ 7:48PM
As a Canadian and an admirer of the United States, I say Amen to Mr. Stein's observations. We all can rest easier and be thankful for the sacrifice made by Members of the American Armed Forces. They carry the weight other Western Governments will not offer to and thusly accept the risks inherent in this responsibility. Bless them all on July 4th and everyday as others have observed. Please remember our Canadian Service Members serving bravely in the Afghan also and think of them on Canada Day, July 1st, they are all out there standing on that wall to defend us here in our homes.
Jimmy Jet| 6.30.09 @ 10:57PM
Thanks again, Ben, for your kind words in support of the military. It cuts through the fog of self-loathing that comes from the left. I was 97B at Long Binh, Class of '70. I wouldn't have wished it on my worst enemy, but I wouldn't trade the experience for anything. You can always tell current or ex-military. They are the ones who are looking out for their buddy rather than for themselves. Happy Independence Day.
Jon Boy| 7.1.09 @ 12:34PM
To Clyt: Go away. Mr. Stein was merely making a point about how comfortable life is for most Americans - even idiots like you - while U.S. troops (yours truly, included) put up with conditions that Americans in general (especially you) would never tolerate, over and above the shooting, mortar attacks, IEDs, etc. The pool reference was semantic and symbolic in nature, and wasn't necessarily to be taken literally. A**hole. Why don't you shut your smart a** pie hole and come join me in the lovely land of ancient civilization and culture, where it'll take another 300 years before the people here reach the 21st century, you rear echelon puke? Or are your too busy being a d*ckhead to a guy who is brave enough to buck the prevalent counter-culturalist, PC BS running amok in our country to fight for your right to be stupid?
Old Texican| 7.1.09 @ 1:28PM
Jon Boy
Thank you for your service, and your perseverance.
Come home safely. We are going to need your skills.
JMR| 7.1.09 @ 2:22PM
Nice words, but unfortunately, pure hyperbole. The youth of this country is a far cry from the caliber of the men that fought in past wars, right up to and including Viet-Nam. The emasculated barnacles that I see sitting in Star Bucks, playing with their lap tops and displaying their tattoo of a rattle snack coming up out of the neck of their tee shirt, somehow don’t conjure up visions of John Wayne and Audey Murphy. In the present politically correct military I am sure that all medals for valor must be distributed according to racial and gender profile, with one thrown in for a gay soldier. There will never be another conventional large-scale war in the technological environment that dominates the world today. And it’s a good thing because this politically correct country lacks the testosterone necessary to take on Snow White and the seven dwarfs in a war like WWII where it was man against man. And what should the youth of today fight for? Take a walk down a typical street in New York and count how many times you hear English spoken or see a real American born in this country. Let’s see if Spectator has the balls to put this on the net.
CW4 Dave Morse| 7.1.09 @ 4:44PM
JMR - You are so wrong about the young soldiers of today. I am in my 38th year of service - now with the Iowa National Guard. I just returned from a tour with Task Force 34 in Balad, Iraq. These young soldiers are every bit the equal of the soldiers I served with back in the 70's. They are brave, hard working, patriotic authentic American heroes. You are obviously a bitter, old soul. I pity you. I'd go anywhere with today's soldiers - even to defend the likes of you.....
Wardog| 7.1.09 @ 5:01PM
Every generation the same thing is said about the youth. Go back and read (if you can) the stories about the youth in the 30's and how they would never stand up for the military; read the stories of the youth in the 60's and listen to old farts like yourself say how rotten kids were. Go back even farther to George Washington and listen to what he had to say about the youth of his time.
There is nothing wrong with our youth today; the military today is stronger, smarter and more tactically proficient than any previous Army. Don't sell them short; you just make yourself look foolish.
SEagan| 7.1.09 @ 8:56PM
God Bless our troops! i wish i lived in Texas were people actually appreciate those that sacrifice there lives for this country! grrrr.... i hate California!
Bob Hoffman| 7.1.09 @ 11:09PM
JMR:
You are just wrong about the quality of the Military today. I spent ten years in the military in the sixties and early seventies. Three of these were in S. Vietnam. The Army there at that time was a good one, but todays Army is better. Not braver; but better trained, equipped, and prepared for the first fight. I flew helicopters and the young men and women that I have talked to and worked with in Army Aviation are just better overall. It's not a question of courage, it's a question of being prepared for that first fight. They are much better prepared.
Many of the things you say about the general population may have some validity, but when you talk about the Military you are just flat wrong.
Thank You Ben, as usual you are on the mark.
Peace be unto you.
Bob Hoffman
Bandit32
MAJ D| 7.2.09 @ 5:43AM
Thank you Ben. We owe our men and women in uniform our thanks and respect. We have some great folks out there doing tough, dirty jobs and doing it for love of country and their brothers and sisters in arms. Go Army Beat Navy!
Pingback| 7.3.09 @ 11:15AM
‘We hold these truths to be self-evident’ | Worth Reading links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Richard Baker| 7.5.09 @ 11:46AM
MAJ D:
Agreed. Beat the Squids!
Richard Baker
ex-SSG Infantry
USA
ROY R.| 7.12.09 @ 9:24PM
Right! Support our kids in the military. Get the GI bill working again. Make sure medical and mental health treatment is done right. Let's spend some money on their recovery.
CM1 Johnson USN| 8.8.09 @ 3:14PM
Well, Ben. I just wanted to extend a thank you to you, your words of insight and wisdom, and your wear-it-on-your-sleeve-like-a-badge-of-honor support of the US military troops. I've served in Desert Shield/Storm and the more recent Operation Iraqi Freedom (two tours), and it never ceases to amaze and humble me that you are so unashamedly supportive of all of us and our duty. In a day of Johnny Depp's and Nancy Pelosi's, it's incredibly satisfying to see someone such as yourself, standing in the bright light of the public eye, speaking intelligently on what is really important as well as what is really wrong with some of our politics/politicians. Thank you, sir. Keep up the good work.
fgf| 8.13.09 @ 5:29PM
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العاب | 11.18.10 @ 12:48PM
Thank you, Mr. Stein, for the wholly appropriate tribute to our heroes. I can't convey the depth of my thanks & appreciation to those who hang it out each & every day to keep us safe. G*d bless them all
hguhf | 11.28.10 @ 3:09PM
Thanks I Bookmarked It Great Post
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