Having a Bad Day? The U.S. Military is certainly having one.
It is reeling from a spate of very public and embarrassing sexual assault and harassment incidents — the latest one today — in addition to the thousands that apparently go unnoticed or unreported.
Of course this is a shameful stain on our military.
Of course this is deplorable and inexcusable and the military must clean up its act.
And of course I hope that, while such incidents reflect badly on the military, most people understand that an overwhelming majority of our troops and veterans are decent, dedicated professional men and women who would make — and have made — whatever sacrifice to serve and defend their country.
One such group of military men and women who have already made those sacrifices are the 200-plus athletes presently participating in the 2013 Warrior Games in Colorado Springs.
Among these athletes are amputees, cancer survivors, partially paralyzed men and women and those recovering from traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress that they incurred during our most recent wars.
During the opening ceremonies of the 2013 Warrior Games, Navy Adm. James A. Winnefeld Jr., Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said:
You warriors are here because of your willingness to overcome great challenges, the challenges of illness and injury, both seen and unseen, coupled with the challenges that any superior athlete must overcome in achieving greatness…Your heroism and determination are an inspiration. Whenever I’m having a bad day or I’m facing a seemingly insurmountable challenge, I just think of you, and my day becomes a very nice day.
I hope that, as we condemn and recoil at the almost daily stream of damning sexual misconduct news, we also keep in mind these “other” military and veterans who “have been through the wringer” for the rest of us.
Finally, as the admiral says, if you are “having a bad day,” please take a look at the following images for some inspiration and to possibly put things into perspective.
Lead image: shutterstock.com
All other photos and captions: DOD
The author is a retired U.S. Air Force officer and a writer.