The American GI: Our secret weapon

I had the opportunity to speak with an Iraq/Afghanistan veteran. The young man stopped by my store to pick up some parts. He explained he had been a mail order customer of mine in Germany when he was stationed there.

I immediately thanked him for his service to his county. I think we all should thank any person who is serving or has served his country every time we meet one for it is they that give us our freedom.

He spoke about how his grandmother wished all our troops could leave now from Iraq. He told me he explained to her that if we did it would all fall apart, and all the sacrifice that had been made would have been for nothing. He also stated that he explained to his grandmother that we have been in Germany for 62 years since the war ended. This young man who had been on the front lines sees the big picture that the Harry Reids of the world can not see.

His thoughts turned to locals he has interacted with. He talked about children that had nothing hanging around outside the camps and fire bases of Iraq and Afghanistan. Many without shoes or proper clothes. The GI's would give them candy, food and discarded items.

It brought to my mind the GI's through history. Whether it be the GI's in the UK during World War II giving the kids candy, because they had none due to sugar rationing or the film of the young Japanese kid shivering with fear on Okinawa as a US Marine gave him his canteen to comfort him. The candy bombers of the Berlin Airlift. Through Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, etc. the American GI's just being themselves win the hearts and minds of the next generation.

America's true secret weapon is the GI. Not because they are the best fighting force in the world (and they are by far), but because they represent America. Whether from the city or the country they are fair minded and are willing to lend a hand to those in need. GI's have a big American heart. Many of those kids that were given candy will remember when they are older and somebody says America is bad that is not true, because they have met true American's.