So who actually joined up?

[Bitseach]

One year on and all that...

 

after the atrocity of 11/9 last year a lot of people around here were talking about how it made them want to join the military. At the time I'll admit I thought it was all talk but I am now curious as to how many of you did join the military, the Reserves, the Red Cross, Peace Corps, Fire Brigade, Police etc? Or who now does voluntary work with vulnerable teenagers, or helps with old people or the sick and injured or whatever who wouldn't have thought of it before?

 

Let's hear your stories of rebuilding to take us on from the time of loss.

[monkeygirl]

I have always been involved in volunteer work, and I'm too young to join the military. However, a week or two after 9/11, I helped gather supplies at a local Wal-Mart to be sent to ground zero.

 

I haven't done much volunteer work lately, mainly because my parents aren't Jaycees anymore (maybe some of you have heard of the organization) and I don't have as much access to the projects. I miss the involvement, though.

 

I do my part by continuing to teach MA. I help people learn how to defend themselves against a possible individual confrontation with terrorism. By doing this I also show terrorists our strength as a people to be able to carry on with life.

 

Anyway, that's my corniness

[G95champ]

I have poor eyesight that is the only reason I am not in the army now. I have a dozen friends who went to the guard or into actual service. I'll do what my country asks or needs of me.

[ZeRo]

i would do something more but im only 14 so its kinda hard

[Xtreme Fury]

Yeah I'm like Mike. I tried to volunteer at an animal shelter, but they said I need to be at least 16.

[Don Gwinn]

My wife teaches autistic children for a living; I consider that her contribution. We just adopted two abused boys about a month ago, 6 year old twins, so I guess that could be considered service. If it can't, too bad, because it leaves no free time to do anything else anyway!

 

Between the kids and my new job, I can't even get to the dojang for classes anymore.

 

I did have two friends who joined up. John Shirley, who goes by "Spectre" at TFL, enlisted right after 9-11. He is an infantry puke who lugs a mortar base plate around and fires mortars, currently stationed at Ft. Lewis in Washington.

 

Son Tao is an amazing guy. His family was Vietnamese, and they got out when he was a young child. They spent about a year in Malaysia before they were able to get here. When they got here all the adults took menial jobs until they could afford to pool their resources and purchase a store, and from then on everyone worked there. Son became a citizen, and when he was old enough, he figured he owed it to America to join the military so he joined the Army. Then he volunteered for the Rangers.

 

He spent a few years in the Rangers and spent some time in the Balkans before getting out and getting his degree in computer science with some side work in physics. He considers physics to be the fun stuff. Before 9-11, he had been talking about taking a job teaching physics at some college. That would have been a significant pay cut, as he was making six figures, but he considered physics so much more enjoyable that he said it would be worth it.

 

After 9-11, he dropped all that and re-enlisted. He did go back in as a Lieutenant, so at least he didn't have to do Basic at his age like John, but he did have to re-qualify for the Rangers.

 

Oddly enough, that seems to have worked out well for him--maybe you really can be saved by good works. They shipped him out to Korea, where he met a beautiful woman from the Phillippines and fell in love. They're going to be married here when his enlistment is up. They'll have a heck of a story to tell the kids. . . . .

[ZR440]

That guy must be an animal to go thru Ranger school twice. I respect their testing way more than any martial arts.

[three60roundhouse]

I've never had any desire to go into the armed forces. However, I am very interested in law enforcement and would like to have a career in that track.

[Don Gwinn]

I should not have implied that Son had to go through the entire RIP twice--all he had to do the second time was to qualify with the weapons, make qualifying jumps and rope assaults, etc.

 

He's one of the nicest people I've ever met, and I really mean that--I can think of maybe one or two nicer. But, yes, it's better to be on his side than the other! He's a tiny little thing, but I can't imagine beating him. It just seems like nothing hurts him.

[Bitseach]

I am somewhat saddened by the relative apathy of everyone who seemed so keen on action at the time of the atrocity. I really didn't expect the biggest response to be in the "I will do nothing but sit on my backside" column! Surely if society is worth preserving then it's worth actively contributing to, whether by the military (if that sort of thing floats your boat) or by an extra contribution to the civilised society that everyone claims to love so much.

 

However, you youngsters who are just waiting to be old enough to be useful - GOOD FOR YOU! I was in the same boat years ago when I started doing voluntary work as soon as I turned 16 and have never regretted it. Over the years I have given a lot but in doing so I have got as much back as I have given (with interest!). I love my country and would never live anywhere else, and served in the UK military for 5 years. Now I'm out and am back doing an regular job and back doing voluntary work in the community and organising others to do the same because I believe in society and that it's worth a little effort on my part.

 

Don Gwinn, thanks so much for telling us about Son Tao - he sounds like a true brick. I have the greatest respect for his decision to rejoin, especially with a pay cut! Isn't it funny how it's often the immigrants who are more patriotic than the natives and more inclined to do something and get on with it quietly and not just talk about it?

 

Thanks and respect to the society-builders out there!