What Would You Have Done?

I've got a few questions for you today:

What would you have done if somebody asked you to stand in a line and walk slowly toward another line of men firing guns and cannons at you?

What would you have done if you were on a ship surrounded by dozens of enemy ships firing cannonballs down on your decks?

What would you have done if someone ordered you to charge up a hill into a hail of machine-gun fire and bombshells?

What would you have done if you had to sit in a trench with cold mud up to your knees and the stinking bodies of what were your friends lying next to you as mortar shells exploded above your head 24-hours a day?

What would you have done if your Sunday morning calm and relaxation was suddenly interrupted by explosions and gunfire, setting fire to your ship?

What would you have done when the door of your landing craft dropped and a hail of gunfire and mortars came raining down upon you farther from the beach than you expected?

What would you have done as the jump door opened and the gunfire and flak was so thick that it seemed to fill the sky?

What would you have done as airplanes bear down on your ship, intent upon crashing into the decks?

What would you have done as temperatures drop far below freezing and you are asked to hold a mountain pass against an enemy with larger numbers?

What would you have done if a helicopter dropped you off in a dense jungle with enemies surrounding you in every direction?

What would you have done if your plane was shot down and you were taken to a prison to be beaten and tortured?

What would you have done if every vehicle that your convoy passes could be rigged with a bomb and every person who approaches you--even on your own base--could pull out a gun or detonate an explosive device?

For millions of Americans, the answer to the above questions was "Answer the call of duty, and defend my country."  Let's make sure they know how much we appreciate that.