Should love/faith be conditional, or should one think more globally to the bigger picture? Don't rough seas make better sailors? When things are bad, or perceived as bad depending on perspective, then isn't that the time when leadership is needed the most? Our country is a work in progress. Our track record isn't the greatest. There are several examples of things we've done as a nation that we shouldn't be proud of, but we often grow the most from our obstacles. I sense we are entering a more polarized time in our history, made more dangerous by the fact there are those who look to try and replace us as the greatest nation on Earth. We can point fingers, blame others, and wring our hands lamenting about the good old days, but let's face it, that doesn't move things forward. Facing our fears as a nation gives us an opportunity to address them. We're not perfect, but we should never stop striving to be just that. There are obstacles in our future, but we'll figure it out and grow as a nation. That's what we do, and that's what I love about this country. My DD is not risking her life for an individual nor for a political party, she's doing it because she has unconditional love for her country...good or bad, she believes in our evolution, and she is willing to risk it all defending the ideal that eventually our future is greater than our past...even if we go sideways every now and then. If people aren't willing to defend this dream in the darkest of times, then how are we to have hope for a better future? Serving as an officer is much more than simply finding a way to pay for college. It's gut check time for a lot of young people. Your country needs you now more than ever. Are you willing to answer the call to serve, or will you rely on someone else to do it for you, holding on to your conditions being met first? I couldn't be prouder of my DD, as I'm sure many of you can relate. It is a challenging transition to say the least, but it has to be a sign that a brighter dawn will soon emerge.