The Other One Percent

We recently read an excellent article by Mark Thompson in TIME Magazine entitled “The Other One Percent”. The article got us to do some serious thinking…

For the most part, we are a civilian population, with little military experience, who continue to elect politicians with no military experience, but a strong appetite for war. As a result, we find ourselves at a cross road, where a dedicated few do the heavy lifting for the many. 

One percent of our population fights the wars, abroad and on the home front, for the other 99 percent. It begs the question: Is America at war or are a few families, who serve with honor, who sacrifice, and die defending us in far off distant lands, the only ones at war?

Most Americans, 99 percent to be precise, do not serve in the military, do not know the horrors of war, and, indeed, have been asked to do little, if anything, to contribute.

Does the fact that we are fighting wars on several fronts as we speak, even cross the minds of most Americans on any given day?  “No” is the honest answer. But the suffering, hardship, and sacrifice of the families of our servicemen and servicewomen is real and ever present in the minds of their loved ones.

What to do? 

Discussing America’s foreign military interventions are weighty matters to be perhaps addressed in another post. For now, how do those of us in the 99 percent support the one percent? At the very least, during the holiday season, we can be thankful for their sacrifices, and let them know the depth of our gratitude. How’s that you say?

MEET BALTIMORE COUNTY’S OWN HERMAN “WOODY” WOOD

For the past five years Woody has been part of Operation Welcome Home Maryland. Here’s how the organization describes its mission on its website:

"Hundreds of our Sailors, Airmen, Soldiers and Marines return from the War on Terror every week through the gates of the Baltimore/Washington International, Thurgood Marshall Airport. Since March 2007, Operation Welcome Home volunteers have greeted over 700 flights and more than 150,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guard service members. We invite you to come on out and help us welcome them home!"

Asked why he regularly volunteers to greet returning service members, Woody struggles to find the right words.

“It’s hard to describe. It’s very fulfilling. You see them getting off the plane after a very long flight, as they work their way down our parade line where our volunteers shake their hands and welcome them home, you can see them smiling from ear to ear.”

The volunteers also present the returning warriors with a goody bag and cards made by school children thanking them for their service.

How about taking your kids, especially the teenage boys who love to play war-themed video games—like that of the "Call of Duty" franchise—to the airport to meet some real heroes. To see photos of the Welcome Home Team in action or to learn how easy it is to support the one percent visit www.OperationWelcomeHomeMD.org.