16 Military Wives

“Cause America can, and America can’t say no. And America does, if America says it’s so” this quote comes directly from the chorus of “16 Military Wives” by The Decembrist. The song is a testament about the sacrifice of those who chose to go into the armed forces for America, and the way that we at home become so caught up in the inconsequential things of life. The song opens in describing the parting of 17 military men from their families, 16 of them have wives; however, only 12 of the men will return again. This sacrifice is a proud one, when a man or woman goes into the military they know the risk and danger, the possibility that he or she might lose their life. But this doesn’t stop them, there’s something within them that drives them to protect their family and their country. During the world wars, men would go into the service and it wasn’t an obligation, it was something to be proud of, a responsibility. However, this has turned into a hindrance, when someone expresses interest in the armed forces they are often asked, “Why would you do that? That’s crazy!” This great responsibility has been turned into a burden. I feel it is a responsibility of our generation to turn back this burden to a responsibility. The sense of national pride in our country has diminished. If we were proud of our country, what we can do for it, and the defense of our country AND family; there would not be this fear and burden attached to the armed forces.

~Reagan