DougR: don't apologize, I read every word and wished it was longer. I didn't know about the 1948 act, and so it was good to learn about it, and to hear your experience.

I am from the post-vietnam generation (I was 13 when the war ended in 1975), and have never served in the military under any circumstances (I was in the NROTC for a year and a half, and then decided the Navy wasn't for me -- partly because I spent my entire 3c cruise seasick, and partly because of (what I saw as) the ingrained, systemic racism in the ship I was on).

I consider myself very lucky, and certainly don't consider it meritorious, that I have never had to be in a position to decide to take another human's life. And very grateful for those who have had to stand there, to protect the freedoms I hold so dear.

This all starts to sound a little treacly, but it's very sincere.

Alex