Stephanie Pedersen: A little perspective on the military

Confession time: I've taken our military for granted.

Don't get me wrong, I am that woman who isn't crying at a funeral until Taps is played. I'm an emotional mess after I hear it.

If anyone asks me if I am patriotic, I will gush over how much I love my country and am proud of the men and women who fight for our freedom.

But growing up next to Fort Benning is something that framed my point of view for a long time. I didn't often visit the post until the last year.

As an editor in our newsroom, I've tried to learn more about the different parts of our community that our reporters work in and write stories about. It's not easy to familiarize yourself with two different sets of state laws, test scores, city governments, military protocol and so much more. You almost need to become somewhat of a subject-matter expert on nearly every topic your newsroom covers.

Tuesday night, I attended a dinner at the National Infantry Museum & Soldier Center where famed author Joe Galloway, who co-authored "We Were Soldiers Once And Young," spoke about his experience during the Ia Drang Battle in the Vietnam War.

Galloway spoke about the "sacred obligation" he had to tell the story of the battle and the hundreds of lost lives. He believes every American, once they turn 18, owe at least two years to their country either serving in our state parks, health care or four years in the military.

I expected to hear what he said. I expected to hear him talk about the battle and how he ended up as Maj. Charlie Beckwith's corner machine gunner.

I expected him to say, "They don't know the price of freedom."

What's taken me by surprise, and quite frankly wiped away my stereotype of some soldiers, is what I've noticed from the military over the last six to eight months.

I once thought these were a lot of jocks, muscle men without much thought, out protecting us. And I was fine with that. We need those men.

What I've found from most that I've spoken to this year are historians who speak in a language I'm not familiar. They study history and warfare to be better than they were 60 years ago, five years ago, yesterday. They can tell you the intricacies of the last few uniforms the Army used.

They know a helicopter inside and out. They speak in multiple abbreviations in every sentence, and they've seen more than they care to share. I've known that part. I've known they've witnesses horrific things, but I was ignorant as to how much they study. Commander of the Maneuver Center of Excellence, Maj. Gen. Scott Miller's three-program leadership series has given us all a special look at how the Army trains, but also a look at how they lead and learn from mistakes.

It's been fascinating for me, but also humbling because you realize how much you don't know.

So, this Thanksgiving, I'm thankful for how much I've learned from them this year as well how much I will learn now that I have a different perspective.

Stephanie Pedersen, senior editor, spedersen@ledger-enquirer.com.

This story was originally published November 25, 2015 at 5:46 PM with the headline "Stephanie Pedersen: A little perspective on the military ."