This week, I listened to the Pentagon’s briefing on the attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities. It seems that it was a smashing success. What impressed me most, though, was how Secretary Hegseth and the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine gave such praise to the uniformed soldiers and airmen who made it possible.
I listened as General Caine described the mission, a truly complex affair, and how the young airmen went about their mission flawlessly. Thirty-seven hours in the air, several refuelings, pinpoint accuracy, and a safe return seem difficult, but the effort to make it happen was extraordinary and involved many other people who made it happen. Did you know one of the pilots was a woman? Did you know that the air base in Qatar was only inhabited by 44 service members? The rest had been moved.
I also learned that the person in charge was a 28-year-old Captain who oversaw the defense of the base, and the Lieutenant in charge of the air defense was only 22, and in his second year. Such brave, conscientious young people! Imagine the pressure on them? Forty-four people are in charge of keeping Iran from destroying one of our top bases in the Middle East.
Since Secretary Hegseth took over, recruitment has increased significantly in all branches, and two of the branches have already met their yearly quotas. What does that say about our armed forces and their ability to see something bigger than themselves?
I had a friend who recently passed away who was in the Navy, and he served on the Enterprise. He would tell us his stories about riding out a typhoon when the waves were 50 feet high, and rushing over the deck! I was always enthralled by his stories, and was always in wonder at his ability to express how it felt. Now, I miss and appreciate him and his service more than ever. He gave up a portion of his life to protect ours. That is courage at its best!
Our military, although most of us appreciate it, is still underappreciated. Can those of us who have not served even understand what they go through? Of course, we can imagine, but we can never know or understand that amount of sacrifice. These are extraordinary young people, and whether or not you agree with the politics, you must admire the courage and sacrifice. Politics be damned, these people are tough and courageous!
People who are willing to give up their lives for others to have a better one are true heroes. We don’t acknowledge that enough. Young pilots in a plane for 37 hours, flying across hostile territory, training for hours in simulators that throw every sort of problem at them so they will be ready for just such missions, takes a lot of discipline that most of us don’t have. I am still in awe of these people and their courage.
This was a demonstration to us at home and to the rest of the world of the kind of young people we have here, and have had since our country was founded. Our Young people give of themselves for something greater for us at home. Can we ever fully understand?
Our military veterans and those serving today need to be supported as much as possible. It takes a special person, a leader, and someone selfless to do the job. It takes a special person to put themselves in harm’s way for others, and they do it Every Day! Respect that!!
