A Changed Viewpoint

 Now back to our regularly scheduled posts.. DC Trip continued...

Being raised in a typical Chinese-American home with traditional Chinese values, joining the US military was not really an option. It was more like a last resort thing to do if I didn't want to go to college or if I was not very academic, two things that are the opposite of Chinese culture. So basically it was not an option for me.

As an adult, I am so thankful for those who serve in the military to protect our country's freedoms and ideals. But it was always something that others did, never something that I would do.

My viewpoint changed during our DC trip and my eyes were opened.. wide!

We went to watch a demonstration performance by the Marine Barracks Washington DC.

Throughout the summer, the Marines perform parades in the evening, featuring the United States Marine Band; Marine Drum & Bugle Corps; Color Guard; Silent Drill Platoon; and the Ceremonial Marchers.

It was an awe-inspiring performance. It is considered to be "a universal symbol of the professionalism, discipline and Esprit de Corps of the United States Marines."

Joining the military is not an easy decision. It takes sacrifice and dedication to serve our country. It's not about 'me' but about serving others.

These days I have been seeing our young people so focused on 'me.' They quit a job after a month because they aren't doing what they want to do or they aren't getting their desired worth in salary. There is no commitment or sticking it out. Or they don't have a job because they haven't found the perfect one. Or they don't know what they want to do so they lounge around in mom and dad's home. They don't show respect to others or abide our laws. They do whatever they feel like because we are a free nation with free speech. Instead of protesting peacefully, they riot and cause chaos.

As a soldier, you are trained to be disciplined, to respect your commanders, to follow directions and to basically follow everything to the tee! For those Honor Guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, every step, every movement, every breath is purposeful. You dedicate your life for something bigger than yourself.

I would be proud if someone I loved wanted to serve in the US military.

We also toured the Pentagon and the 9-11 Memorial there.

It was a very strict process. We had background checks done on us before we were admitted.

No photos were allowed on the grounds starting with the parking lot. But in this holding area we were allowed to take a few shots just to prove we were there!

The Pentagon is the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense in Arlington, VA. It is the symbol of the US military. The building has 5 sides, with 5 floors above ground and 2 basement levels. Each floor has five ring corridors with a central plaza shaped like a pentagon in the middle. Known as ground zero, a nickname originating during the Cold War on the presumption that it would be targeted by the Soviet Union at the outbreak of nuclear war. The five branches of the military are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard.

On Sept 11, 2001 American Airlines Flight 77 was hijacked and flown into the Western side of the Pentagon, killing 189 people including the five hijackers. A memorial was built at the location where the plane hit, both inside and outside of the building. On behalf of her 8th grade class, Emily had the privilege and honor of writing a message in the Memory Book for the survivors' families.