I almost enlisted in the military about 20 years ago. Instead I went to college, graduated #1 in my Geology class, and went on to run the family business. The idea that only morons have enough patriotism to join the military must come from the fact that the present democratic military hero is a moron. Right now, no longer at the family business thanks to 8 years of democrat, I would even consider enlisting if not for my young children who are the future of America and what our military is fighting for. The "real" educated of America have nothing but respect for those who CHOOSE to JOIN up.

Regarding the comments of recruit Mihalo's mother: My oldest son is a fairly new Navy helo pilot. It is astonishing how many people upon hearing that tell his mother and me that they are "sorry" to hear it and how they "hope he won't being going to Iraq."

They are always taken aback when his mother (daughter of a Bronze Star winning WWII D-Day landing career Army officer) and I (son of a WWII/Korean War Air Force career officer and myself a retired Navy Reserve officer with service off Vietnam, in Saudi Arabia for Desert Storm and a recall for Kosovo) tell them how proud we are of his decision to volunteer to defend his country, including defending those people who do not seem to grasp that we are involved in a very serious war with very serious enemies.

It is a matter of great pride to us to know he has the honor and privilege to serve with other good and often heroic volunteers, including those young men who were awarded the Silver Star as you describe in your piece.

God bless them and all who serve. We who do know how important such service is salute you and your families.

Without even leaving Chicago... I am priviledged to see just about every recruit who enlists in the US Navy. As the head to Boot Camp they usually have a brief stop where I work (USO) before they get on the bus and go to Boot.

I am literally the last nice person that they see.

I consider it a great honor that I get the chance to give them a last few words of advice (Don't talk, listen carefully, don't talk, attention to detain, don't talk etc.)

I am always amazed at how very different the recruits are and how wonderful most of them are. These are bright, motivated, rock solid kids who after 9 weeks at Great Lakes I no longer call kids - then they are young men and women doing a job that I thank them for.

At the same time I tend to see many Navy Corpmen after graduation from Corp school on their way to join the Marines they will be serving with. Those guys are simply amazing - smart, polite, motivated and excited to get on with starting their career.

Comparing that to most college kids I know who tend to be somewhat unfocused an/or unmotivated and I can't imagine a parent who wouldn't be proud of the choices their child makes to join the military.