Everyone should have to serve in military for two years
This is a tough time for Americans, irrespective of age, sex, race, sexual orientation or religion. It is particularly difficult for us older Americans to witness the lack of respect by our youth for parents, teachers, law enforcement, or anyone in authority. Parents who allow permissive, undisciplined behavior by their children and fail to teach them respect, do them no favors. Then you have a “Ferguson” or a “Baltimore.” Children must be taught and I hope it’s not too late. Rioting, looting and destruction of property are unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
The worst incident was watching someone stomp on the American flag, and I remember all our fellow Americans who have given their lives for that flag and the freedoms we enjoy in this great country. These young people have no idea how fortunate they are to have been born in these United States and not some third-world country.
My solution for the lack of respect shown by so many of our young people today is to require everyone - male and female - upon reaching age 18 or after college to serve two years in the military as is done in other countries. There they would learn respect - respect for each other, respect for authority and respect for their country. It worked for my generation.
Paul Formato, Pawleys Island
This story was originally published November 20, 2015 at 9:16 AM with the headline "Everyone should have to serve in military for two years."