Think About It

Not to be a dick about this, because they're all brave, outstanding people ... but shouldn't the West Point entering class of 2002, be the "Class of 9/11"? The freshman of 2001 had no idea what they were signing up for when they enrolled that fall. But the following year's graduates knew exactly what they were getting into. They knew with a virtual certainty that when they graduated they were going to war, but they enrolled anyway. Some of them probably even enrolled because they wanted to go war. (i.e. defend their country; I'm not implying they like to kill.) The Class of 2005 had greatness thrust upon them, so to speak; the Class of 2006 chose it. I think that's a subtle, but important distinction.

Either way, they're all amazing people. I don't know how they do it, but I'm glad they do. Which reminds me of one of favorite quotes ever (attributed to George Orwell, but who the hell knows for sure):

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."

It's scary, because it's true.