Gotta Love Steve

This is straight from one of my favorite military friends and personal hero Steve...

Rules for the Non-Military (12 STEP PROGRAM FOR CIVILIANS)
>
> Dear Civilians,
>
> We know that the current state of affairs in our great nation has many
civilians up in arms and excited to join the military.
>
> For those of you who can't join, you can still lend a hand. Here are
a few of the areas where we would like your assistance:
>
> 1. The next time you see any adults talking (or wearing a hat) during
the playing of the National Anthem - kick their ass.
>
> 2. When you witness, firsthand, someone burning the American Flag in
protest - kick their ass.
>
> 3. Regardless of the rank they held while they served, pay the highest
amount of respect to all veterans. If you see anyone doing otherwise, quietly
pull them aside and explain how
these
veterans fought for the very freedom they
bask in every second. Enlighten them on the many sacrifices theseveterans made
to make this Nation great. Then hold them down while a disabled veteran kicks
their ass.
>
> 4. (GUYS) If you were never in the military, DO NOT pretend that you
were. Wearing battle dress uniforms (BDUs) or Jungle Fatigues, telling others
that you used to be 'Special Forces,' and collecting GI Joe memorabilia,
might have been okay when you were seven years old. Now, it will only make you
look stupid and get your ass kicked.
>
> 5. Next time you come across an Air Force member, do not ask them,
'Do you fly a jet?' Not everyone in the Air Force is a pilot. Such
ignorance deserves an ass-kicking (children are exempt).
>
> 6. If you witness someone calling the US Coast Guard
'non-MIlitary', Inform them of their mistake – and kick their
ass.
>
>
7. Next time Old Glory (the US flag) prances by during a parade, get on
your damn feet and pay homage to her by placing your hand over your heart.
Quietly thank the military member or veteran lucky enough to be carrying her -
of course, failure to do either of those could earn you a severe ass-kicking.
>
> 8. Don't try to discuss politics with a military member or a
veteran. We are Americans, and we all bleed the same, regardless of our party
affiliation. Our Chain of Command is to include our Commander-In-Chief (CinC).
The President (for those who didn't know) is our CinC regardless of
political party. We have no inside track on what happens inside those big
important buildings where all those representatives meet. All we know is that
when those civilian representatives screw up the situation, they call upon the
military to go straighten it out. If you keep asking us the
same stupid
questions
repeatedly, you will get your ass kic ked!
>
> 9. 'Your mama wears combat boots.' never made sense to me - stop
saying It! If she did, she would most likely be a vet and therefore could kick
your ass!
>
> 10. bin Laden and the Taliban are not Communists, so stop saying
'Let's go kill those Commies!' And stop asking us where he is!
Crystal balls are not standard issue in the military. That reminds me- if you
see anyone calling those damn psychic phone numbers, let me know, so I can go
kick their ass!
>
> 11. 'Flyboy' (Air Force), 'Jarhead' (Marines),
'Grunt' (Army), 'Squid' (Navy), 'Puddle Jumpers' (Coast
Guard), etc., are terms of endearment we use describing each other. Unless you
are a service member or vet, you have not earned the right to use them. Using
them could get your ass kicked.
>
> 12. Last, but not least, whether or not
you become a member of
the
Military, support our troops and their families. Every Thanksgiving and
religious holiday that you enjoy with family and friends, please remember that
there are literally thousands of soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen far
fromhome wishing they could be with their families. Thank God for our military
and the sacrifices they make every day. Without them, our country would get
it's 'ass kicked.'
>
> 'It's the Veteran, not the reporter, who has given us the freedom
of the press.'
>
> 'It's the Veteran, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of
speech.'
>
> 'It's the Veteran, not the campus organizer, who gives us the
freedom to demonstrate.'
>
> 'It's the Military who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the
flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag who allows the protester to burn
the flag.'
>