Special Young Men

Thanking Our Soldiers

As a police officer I come in contact with many people all day long. Few were as memorable, or had such a positive mental impact as the two young men I met today. I would say they were about 19 years old, clean cut, and blended in as your average looking young people. I may have grown a bit cynical of today's youth after being bombarded by the "MTV" portrayal of youth voters during this campaign year. I needed to be reminded that not all young people hold the values (or lack there of) that an Eminem or P. Diddy spew from their pie hole.

One of the young men kept looking at me, and finally approached. "can I ask you a question officer?" I said "sure, what can I help you with". He asked " Are things different now?...I mean since 9-11...do people act differently?". His words sounded so passionate, like he just had to know. I told him that most people still seem to be willing to do whatever it takes for the overall security of one another, but that as time goes on, the strong bond we all felt when attacked has decreased a bit. The young man continued to ask questions on many security related subjects, all the while seeming to hang on my every word and appearing mature beyond his years.

The two young men told me that the were flying out today to attend boot camp. All the questioning started to make sense to me now. I don't want to read to much into it, but I felt as though they were trying to get the pulse of the nation which they were now preparing to serve as new military soldiers. They were both going to different states for training, one to Georgia, and the other to Oklahoma. I asked the young man I had been talking to if he was nervous, and without pause he said " no...I am ready to kick ass!". Now understand it is hard for me to express in words how this came across, but it was not a cocky Rambo type statement. This guy oozed pride and eagerness to serve his country. Talking with these young men filled me with a great sense of pride and respect for our past, present and future soldiers and defenders of this great land of ours.

As the young men departed we shook hands and I extened my congratulations and blessings for the future that they were more that willing to embark on. It is still hard for me to fully explain, but I have been on an emotional high since meeting these men today. It was great to see another side of the "real youth" of today, one not always portrayed by today's media venues. May God bless and protect them always!