A Personal Note...

As many of my friends and family are well aware, I served seven years in the U.S. Navy. I have always found that generally, the quality of people who serve on active duty to be the very best. They are people of character and principles. You will not find any more loyal and true friends than the men and women I served with. They are in fact, not friends but family. For the ties that bind us, were forged under the most strenuous pressure. As the saying goes; "The hotter the fire, the stronger the steel."

However, lately I have noticed a very disturbing trend. The rate of domestic violence in the military is skyrocketing. I realize soldiers and sailors have had it tough in this war, no one understands better than I. You just can not use that as an excuse to beat on your wife. Let me be very clear; for that there is no excuse! Let me remind us all of the oath we took the day we enlisted;

"I, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."

I bring to your attention the part about our enemies, foreign and domestic for a reason. After you have dealt with the foreign threats, don't come home and become the domestic threat. Do what you must, seek counseling, talk to a priest, and for heaven's sake, talk to your wife. She wants to help you. I don't want to hear about another soldier killing his wife.

I'd like to dedicate this post to three soldiers who this year were murdered by their loved ones;

Sgt. Christina E. Smith, USA 29 yrs old
Spc. Megan Touma, USA 23 yrs old
2nd Lt. Holley Wimunc, USA 24 yrs old

God bless you and your families, I will keep you all in my prayers.

As for those who prematurely stole your lives away, may God forgive you. I'm not sure if your fellow servicemen can.

To the rest of the servicemen out there, look at what happened to these men and ask yourself "Is a few hours a week in counseling harder than life in that hell hole they call Ft. Leavenworth, KS?"

Brendan Smith
U.S. Navy 1996-2003
Fair winds and following seas

This time my view is not slightly obstructed, it's quite clear...Thanks for reading and remember to keep all of our servicemen and women in your prayers.