Duty to country: Reflecting on why we serve Published Nov. 10, 2010 By By Retired Master Sgt. Eric Svensson 315th Maintenance Squadron JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. -- My career comes to a close as all good things do at some point in one's life. As I look back over these 37 years and wonder why did I choose this? I did not have to wonder very long or hard. I knew what my answer was right away. I felt it was my duty to serve my country and do it honorably. It was indeed my honor to do so; I appreciate that opportunity to have served. You see, I was not born here. I gained my citizenship through naturalization many years ago. It was not an immediate process, it was one that took many years and required that I put some effort into it. I had to prove I was a responsible, productive person who had something to offer in return. I had to show I was worthy of it. I had always seen this great country they called America from my little island where I lived at the time. I said what an awesome place--I would love to live there someday. So as my father's employment brought us here I was fortunate to see that dream become a reality. I had seen the discontent and uprising in the late 1960's and yet this still exists today. I thought to myself as I still do today, "Why? We live in this wonderful country of ours and have everything. All that is asked of us is that you have a dream, work hard and you can achieve as much as you put into it. " I said then as I still do today, "I want those dreams too I have to work hard!" My father used to tell me, "Nothing is worth doing unless it is done well." He also told me, "Time waits for no man." I didn't know exactly what he meant by that at the time but today, looking back, he was even wiser than I had ever imagined. I do miss him now he is gone. I have traveled everywhere throughout my Air Force career and I am truly blessed. I have seen many places, although there are some I care not to see again. The poverty of these nations and the heavy handedness of oppressive governments is an eye awakening experience. Not like here. Yes, we have poverty here, too, but we have the resources and the love of our fellow man to help each other break these bonds. Sometimes we just need to help them see others dreams as well. The rest is up to them. It is by far not perfect, but we can make these claims. We are free to choose our own paths and to pursue them as far as we dare to. Free to worship, free to speak out, and free to dream. Finally, we are free to pass that dream of something much bigger on to our children. So back to my answer to my question, why did I serve? It was not for the financial reasons. No one becomes wealthy serving in our military. I served because I felt it was my duty to give back something to this great nation that welcomed me with open arms. So many have given so much for this country so that we may have what we have today. Peace, tranquility and this wonderful country we all live in. With our own history relatively young comparatively to other nations of the world, we have done so much and given so much to preserve the freedoms of not only our own but those of the rest of the world. Who wouldn't want to be a part of that team? You need look no further than to your own children--you will know why you chose to serve. This Veterans Day, remember our Veterans--they made this possible! So today, I wanted you to know my reasons, ask you to find out what yours are and challenge others to take up this great duty of service to one's country. It is truly for a greater cause. Would I do it all over again? Absolutely! What will you tell your grandchildren one day? I will tell them I served because: Please turn up the sound: http://sagebrushpatriot.com/america.htm It's OK to be called a patriot. There are a lot worse things. God Bless you and your families, and God bless the United States of America.