I served because I wanted to do something meaningful for myself and this country. At the time I was drafted, I felt extremely patriotic and had a head full of fanciful dreams of seeing far away places, meeting people and enriching my existence here on earth.
My youthful exuberance drove me to take advantage of my conscription and the camaraderie I found among soldiers of all races was enough to cause me to stay until retirement. I got a much fairer shake in the Army than I did as a civilian; I rose through the ranks so fast, I couldn't quit. I loved it. But when I retired, I returned to the real world where racism and bigotry and White Flight was still pervasive, I was disappointed , saddened and somewhat embittered.
Colin Powell? Where did you see that I quoted him? And what has he to do with this op?
