your right it's not free while it might cost you a few dollars that you will never see since it gets taken out of your gross pay not your net.
But according to the VA.
http://hnn.us/roundup/comments/44965.html
America's Wars Total
U.S. Military Service During War................43,185,893
Battle Deaths................................................653,708
Other Deaths (In Theater).................................14,560
Other Deaths in Service (Non-Theater).............525,930
Non-mortal Woundings................................1,447,281
Living War Veterans..................................17,835,000
Living Veterans (War & Peacetime)............23,698,000
653,708 Americans have gave everything that they have to provide you with freedom. That number is not including that 2,333 in the GWOT.
Guess you hear about all the rape and murder that American's are doing huh. Funny if it's such an epidemic why is it not all over the news?
Ok you wanna hear first hand account of what combat is like, not the life of a fobbit, actual combat.
How about watching the HUMMVE infront of you get hit with an IED and seeing your friends arms and torso go flying into the air and dealing with soldiers that have 2nd degree burns on their bodies and missing feet and hands from them being blown off while they cry for their mother.
Or how about walking down a street and seeing your friend of 6 years shot in the neck by a sniper having his blood splatter on your face. Dragging him into a building and trying all you can to keep him from dying and actually watching him bleed out right in front of you. Looking at your blood soaked hands and know that you have to get right back out there and control the situtation. Or how about facing his wife and 2 kids and telling them that you did all that you can knowing that their dad and husband is not comming back.
I keep things sugar coated and happy so I am not reminded of these nightmares that plague me EVERYDAY. Hell I can't even drive down the street without thinking that something might be and IED. When I walk into building or down a street I think where can I go for cover and were are the best sight lines.
I freely joined the Army because I needed money for college AND wanted to serve my country as my grandfather(17th Airborne, Battle of the Bulge) and father(101st Vietnam) both did. I am proud of my country and the Army and yes I get pissed when people bad mouth it because unlike people that "think" they know what we go through each and everyday and the pain that stay's afterward, you have NO FUCKING IDEA!