Dear Civilians,

We know that the current state of affairs in our great nation
have many civilians up in arms and excited to join the military.
For those of you who can't join, you can still lend a hand. Here
are a few of the areas we would like your assistance with:

1) The next time you see an adult talking during the playing of
the National Anthem ... kick their butt.

2) When you witness firsthand someone burning the American
Flag in protest ... kick their butt.

3) Regardless of the rank they held while they served, pay the
highest amount of respect to all veterans. If you see anyone
doing otherwise, quietly pull them aside and explain how these
Veterans fought for the very freedom they bask in every
second. Enlighten them on the many sacrifices these Veterans
made to make this Nation great. Then hold them down while
a Disabled Veteran kicks their butt.

4) If you were never in the military, DO NOT pretend that you
were. Wearing battle dress uniforms (BDU's), telling others
that you used to be "Special Forces," and collecting GI Joe
memorabilia, might have been okay if you were still seven.
Now, it will only make you look stupid and get your butt kicked.

5) If you witness someone calling an enlisted Marine "Sir,"
stand back ...a Marine will kick their butt.

6) Next time you come across an Air Force member, do not ask
them, "Do you fly a jet?" Not everyone in the Air Force is a
pilot. Such ignorance deserves a butt kickin (children are
exempt).

7) Roseanne Barr's singing of the National Anthem is not a
blooper ... it was a disgrace and disrespectful. Laugh, and
sooner or later your butt will be kicked.

8) Next time Old Glory prances by during a parade, get on your
 feet and pay homage to her by placing your hand over your
heart. Quietly thank the military member or veteran lucky
enough to be carrying her ..... of course, failure to do either of
those could earn you a severe butt kicking.

9) What Jane Fonda did during the Vietnam War makes her
the enemy. The proper word to describe her is "traitor." Just
mention her nomination for "Woman of the Year" and get your
butt kicked..

10) Don't try to discuss politics with a military member or a
veteran. We are Americans and we all bleed the same
regardless of our party affiliation. Our Chain of Command, is
to include our commander in Chief. The President (for those
who didn't know) is our CIC regardless of political party.. We
have no inside track on what happens inside those big
important buildings where all those "representatives" meet. All
we know is that when those civilian representatives screw up
the situation, they call upon the military to go straighten it out.
The military member might direct you to Oliver North.
(I can see him kicking your butt already.)

11) "Your mama wears combat boots" never made sense to me ...
stop saying it! If she did, she would most likely be a vet and
probably kick your butt!

12) Bin Laden and the Taliban are not communists, so stop
saying "Let's go kill those Commie's!!!" And stop asking us
where he is!!!! Crystal balls are not standard issue in the
military. That reminds me ... if you see anyone calling those  
psychic phone numbers; let me know, so I can go kick their
butt.

13) Bus Driver, Jar Head, Grunt, Swabbie etc, are terms of
endearment we use describing each other. Unless you are a
service member or vet, you have not earned the right to use
them. You could get your butt kicked.

14) Last but not least, whether or not you become a member of
the military, support our troops and their families. Every
Thanksgiving and religious holiday that you enjoy with family
and friends please remember that there are, literally,
thousands of troops overseas wishing they could be with their
families. Thank God for our military and the sacrifices they
make every day. Without them, our country would get its butt
kicked.
Rockingham Remembered
Short Stories