CO M M E N TA R Y
WHEN A DRILL SERGEANT
wants his troops to snap
to attention, he yells “Ten
Hut!” It’s an easy term to understand
and is what is known as basic
military training. When I was
growing up, the military was a
respected and treasured part of
America. Those who served were
honored (like my father) for their
defense of our freedoms around the
world. They came home to parades and
accolades. Today, military members’
service has become accepted as just part
of the American way of life; nothing outstanding,
just another job that can be
accepted or declined.
This situation is probably the result of
many American families becoming disassociated
from the military. They no longer
have relatives or friends who have a
military background. They hear of great
battles on foreign soil, but fail to relate to
these wars in any way other than as a
part of history that has little to do with
them personally.
While reading Stephen Ambrose’s
D-Day, an excellent account of one of the
greatest military feats in history, what
struck me most was that those who
helped to carry it out had no professional
military experience. Many were leaving
the landing crafts and rushing onto the
consider a normal life to protect
our freedoms.
That is why I believe if you
have the opportunity to honor any
of those who serve our country by
standing with your hats off and
your hand over your heart during
the presentation of the flag or the
singing of the National Anthem,
it is an easy way to show these
military men and women respect and
thank them for their service.
When I visited the aircraft carrier USS
Theodore Roosevelt many years ago, I was
surprised when its Commander told me,
“We carry a full complement of 5,000
troops when we go to war, and the average
age is 19.” That is as true today as it was
then. These young people are responsible
for the good lives we experience daily in
this country, and we should never forget
what we owe them. I salute them all.
TEN HUT!
By Dick Crippen
Dick Crippen
beaches of Normandy without much
more than the most basic of training. The
attack was successful only at a great cost
to the young soldiers who were there
solely because they believed in the mission.
They wanted to ensure freedom for those
at home – their wives, girlfriends,
children, other family and friends. Many
would never return, as they gave their
lives to protect and preserve the freedoms
we enjoy today.
The big difference between the military
I grew up knowing and today’s military
is that when I was young, we all understood
the “draft.” It was the process we
all went through as a rite of passage.
Today, volunteers make up our military.
The young men and women who are
fighting for our freedoms have chosen to
do this because they believe it is their
mission. Like those before them, they
sacrifice families, jobs and what we
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JULY/AUGUST 2015 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 133