Prior Military Service: Important for Elected Office, Other Public Support?

Military service is important, but probably only for those of us who served in some capacity. 

There is a bond there among all veterans; a bond created by having gone through the same stuff as others who have served. Of course, not everyone has served and many times, there are good reasons why they haven't. 

One just needs to take a look at the national tickets to see that emphasis on military service has waned over the years. I admit that when I look at candidates, if I find that they are equal in most other ways, I will  default to the one who put on their country's uniform.

Who went through basic training, who ate the rations, who stood formations, who marched, who saluted, who got yelled at (we all did)--and those who fully understood that a military is only as strong as its weakest link. 

It instilled a sense of "team" that very few veterans will ever forget. Service was not voluntary back in my day. You were either in school and got your draft deferred while you were a student or you pretty quickly got a notice from your draft board with the dubious message--"Greetings from the President of the United States, your friends and neighbors have chosen you." 

It was just a matter of time then until you got on a bus or a train to go to the nearest entrance station. Those first months in the military were just a bit dehumanizing to many, and many could not adjust.

Now, if you don't want to serve, nobody is going to make you serve. You can stay home and build a business, a relationship, go to college, get married and start a family--Uncle Sam will not come knocking on your door. 

For those who answered the mandatory call, or for those who chose to serve because of some inner call, here is a promise I make to you. When you stand next to another person with equal skills--and you served and they didn't, you have my support, vote and gratitude. Doesn't matter if you ever heard a shot fired in anger. 

I believe it is always a fair question to ask someone if they served. I also believe that it is a question that should always be asked. I believe that other veterans feel the same as I and I welcome your comments, as always.