Reply #29: I'm reminded of my eldest male cousin... who must have appeared similarly [View All]

[hlthe2b]

to my Grandfather-- then a member of the small rural farming community's Vietnam era draft board. Apparently, he thought the military would be just the discipline he needed and intentionally bumped up his number. No, there is (fortunately) not a bad ending to this story. He served most of his time overseas but outside the active front. But, it does explain why he never looked upon my Grandfather as the kindly, cuddly old farmer, as I and the other much younger cousins did.

I don't know if my Grandfather was right. Maybe in a way he was. He also came from a time when all men were expected to serve--he in WWI and all my uncles in WWII. But, I will quietly and non-judgmentally point out that men of that era would also have been more prepared had their decision ended more tragically.

I'm not against serving in the military and it might be just the right thing for your son. But, realize, he may not have the choice to remain in a "safer" area. I lost a colleague in the Kenya embassy bombings. When she, her husband and three adopted children went to that assignment, it was looked upon as one of the more safe opportunities. So, one never knows.