Prompt #1

When faced with the decision to support my home country or to deny the United States my obligations to fight is a very complicated decision that I would have to face, if I ever have to face it. In the event that I am forced to make this decision, I would be very inclined to join the army and give back to the country that has protected me for so long. This decision would not come lightly though, and it would be very hard to want to leave everything behind and not be sure if I would be able to return.

If I was to be asked tomorrow to join the army and fight for my country and to protect those that I love, I would surely feel similar to Tim in “On the Rainy River” and the fact that I am too young to be preparing myself for the possibility of death. I know that I would feel less egotistical about it then Tim did, there would be no feelings that I am better then someone and since I am better then someone that they should go instead of me. More of what I would be feeling is the need live out my life before I am forced to challenge death. I would want to live out the life I had started to plan for myself, like getting married, having kids, having a career, buying my first car, my first house, going to other continents to travel, and vacationing in exotic places with friends and family.

Apart from personal feelings, and the feelings I would have towards going off to war, there would be the feelings that my friends and family would have of my departure to war. I know for a fact that my family would be so much against it, that they, themselves, would do anything to keep me from going, even if it meant moving me to Africa and giving me a new name. They would be very put out if they knew I wanted to go, that this choice was predetermined. It just is an obligation to me; I feel obligated to serve my country, just like I felt obligated to coach a volleyball team for my old middle school because I went there for ten years of my life. To me, serving my country would be an honor.