The Civil War wasn’t really all that Civil now, was it? Often, brother was pitted against brother, father against son. Fighting was often hand to hand, and brutal. Sacrifices were made by participants of both the voluntary and involuntary variety. I certainly understand wanting to take a stand for a greater cause, a greater good, for the sake of the country. But, there is a reason why we applaud and appreciate our brave Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen, isn’t there? They had the guts to take that stand when most of us, myself included, would not, or could not. I have said in several ways, several times, how important my family is to me. In that regard, I am short sighted. Make that EXTREMELY short sighted. Selfish. Downright mean.
Taking up arms for one’s country takes several kinds of courage, one of which is the courage to leave your family in the hands of others while you take up the bigger cause.
They say one never knows for sure until they are under fire how they will react to being shot at. I suppose one never really knows until they have to make a decision like this whether they will choose to defend country or family, or possibly whether defending one is the same thing as defending the other.
I can tell you this. If my Brother and I disagree on politics (we do sometimes), so be it. I would not, ever, fire shots at my brother, or even in his general direction, orders or no, bigger picture or no. No matter how strongly we disagree. I probably couldn’t fight off an invading army, nor would I want to, but I could be of a significant help keeping my Wife and the rest of my family safe, fed, and alive. To the government, on either side, Both I, as a soldier, and my family as nameless indigenous personnel, would be statistics, of no particular consequence in their grand scheme. Nope, for me, the decision seems pretty clear. Family would come first. I would stay home if I could.
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