Evolution of love

Military Glory

"A thousand years ago, when I was about to begin my military career, a wise old retired Marine Colonel, a veteran of the

carnage at Tarawa, gave me some advice. Paraphrased here, he said:

'So you want to be a career soldier? Good for you. But remember that the longer you stay in uniform, the less you will really

understand about the country you protect. Democracy is the antithesis of the military life; it’s chaotic, dishonest, disorganized

& at the same time glorious, exhilarating & free — which you are not. After a while, if you stay in, you’ll be tempted to say,

“Look, you civilians, we’ve got a better way. We’re better organized. We’re patriotic & we know what it is to sacrifice.

Be like us.” And you’ll be dead wrong, son. If you’re a career soldier, you may defend democracy, but you won’t understand

it or be part of it. What’s more, you’ll always be a stranger to your own society. That’s the sacrifice you’ll be making"