Editors Note; The following story is by Kevin McCullough and was published on TownHall on Saturday Dec. 20th. It conveys my thoughts and sentiments quite well, I hope you enjoy it. To the troops serving around the world and to my fellow Gold Star Dad’s and their Families, from mine to yours Merry Christmas.

Don’t let it be misunderstood. Those who serve in our nation’s military espouse values that confuse the left, confound their purpose, and leave them unable to understand, much less resonate with our service men and women. This week I saw why.

Five nights ago I sat at dinner with a United States Marine and an about-to-be winged United States Naval Flight Officer. They have been friends since childhood. The marine served in the South Pacific, Gitmo, and Iraq. The Navy NFO has been learning aircraft, trajectory, and the specific abilities of how to conduct a dog-fight, drop a bomb on a terrorist, and make it back to the carrier safely with a $44 million dollar piece of equipment. The occasion we were all together for on this particular evening was to celebrate the completion of the training for the NFO to take his next step into his days of flying missions into Iraq, Afghanistan, or wherever else the U.S. Navy decides he should.

Between his winging and his access to an F-18, however, rests a little appointment on the calendar. Those in military service know it as S.E.R.E.

It stands for Survive, Evade, Resist, and Escape. (continue reading…)