AMERICA: View from a Marine

Since returning from Afghanistan I have a few thoughts to share on the perceived struggles of the modern American. I submit for your consideration that our nation is comprised of standing generations who have cut their teeth and proven their worth continually in the face of adversity. Tragedy has always preceded our triumph; failure has always come before our success.

We are the descendents of those poor few who stood and met the bar of history continually in order to overcome imperialism, slavery, a great depression, fascism and communism. America today is comprised of young and old who have chosen willfully to engage the hard road and nothing has ever come easy for us; we have always faced down the mightiest of challenges and been defined by the magnitude of our courage.

President Roosevelt stated that “all we have to fear is fear itself;” America’s future is bright and that is because America has always had the courage to face down and overcome doubt and fear. Our generations share a common thread of achievement, from The Great War to the current Long War we have witnessed common men rise to uncommon valor to ensure that America endures as more than a cliché or an asterisk in the history of mankind. We need to see that unity, grasp that vision of courageousness as history is again looking for those inspired to selfless action. That is my America.

So before you blame, or give up, consider: if you were put here to be you, then you must have everything necessary to be successful in that endeavor. Providence is in you, so persist regardless of your past or present and remember together we will always have the capability to change our stars. We must be united on this journey, turning away from divisiveness and blame, always remembering that we can be more by doing more. It will always be true that if everyone’s past was put on display, no one would be qualified for anything; and that is the greatness of the human spirit, in the triumph despite the travesty, the victory despite the hard journey.

We must work together despite our differences. There has never been progress and prosperity without a compromise. There has never been a compromise without a negotiation. There has never been a negotiation without opposing sides. Individual liberty necessitates social responsibility, when you have one you will always find the other and that unified diversity is what makes America great.

STAFF SGT. DAVID S. TAYLOR

USMC

Lewiston