Real Job?

[Guest guest]

Real Job?

Some people still don't understand why military personnel do what they do for a

living. This exchange between Senators Glenn and Metzenbaum is worth

reading. Not only is it pretty impressive, it's an impromptu speech--one man's

explanation of why men and women in the Armed Services do what they do for a

living.This is a typical, though sad,

example of what some who have never served think of the Military.

Senator Metzenbaum to Senator Glenn: " How can you run for Senate when you've

never held a " real job? "

Senator Glenn: " I served 23 years in the United States Marine Corps. I served

through two wars. I flew 149 missions. My plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire on

12 different ccasions.I was in the Space Program. It wasn't my checkbook,

Senator; it was my Life on the line. It was not a nine-to-five job, where I took

time off to take the daily cash receipts to the bank. I ask you to go with me

.... as I went the other day... to a Veteran's Hospital and look those men - with

their mangled bodies - look them in the eye, and tellTHEM they didn't hold a

job!

You go with me to the Space Program at NASA and go, as I have gone, to the

widows and orphans of Ed White, Gus Grissom and Chaffee...and you look

those kids in the eye and tell them that their Dads DIDN'T hold a real job.

You go with me on Memorial Day and you stand in Arlington National Cemetery,

where I have more friends buried than I'd like to remember, and you watch those

waving flags. You stand there, and you think about this Nation, and you tell ME

that those people didn't have a real job?

I'll tell you, Metzenbaum, you should be on your knees every day of your

life thanking God that there were some men and women - SOME MEN - and women who

held a REAL job. They required a dedication to a purpose - and a love of country

and a dedication to duty - that was more important than life itself. Their

self-sacrifice is what made this country possible I HAVE held a real job,

! ---What about you? "

For those who don't remember - During WWII, Metzenbaum was an attorney

representing the Communist Party in the USA. Now he is a senator!

If you can read this, thank a teacher....

If you are reading it in English, thank a Veteran.......

~ " We all take different paths in life, but no matter where we go, we take a

little of each other everywhere. " ~

~ " If I could reach up and hold a star for every time you've made me smile, the

entire evening sky would be in the palm of my hand. "