[May 7, 2026] Just a couple of days ago, I had the pleasure of meeting several older veterans. I don’t use the “old” descriptor as an insult; they would agree with me. All were in their 90s. I asked them, with all seriousness, what advice they would give young folks who wanted to join the U.S. military.
I thought to myself that these older men, most hard of hearing but eager to talk, might not want to offer any useful guidance to those who might consider joining one of our military services. I was wrong. They were eager to talk about what they seemed to have stored up inside them.
Most of these men were World War II combat veterans. One was a Korean War vet. Another had served during the Cold War and in all the military services. What impressed me about these men was their honest eagerness not just to talk but to actively mentor younger men and women who were thinking about joining up.
The oldest yet most active member of the group was also the first to answer. He asked me whether I’d ever heard what President John F. Kennedy had said about service to the nation. Kennedy said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” Yes, I had heard this quote, but it’s not exactly accurate; close enough (see this YouTube video at roughly the 14-minute mark, where JFK asks this famous question).
This old veteran said that America should also be willing to do things for its Veterans. “Maybe,” he said, “America is not doing enough.” Then he went on to explain what he meant. I’ll paraphrase. “When young men sign up [for military service], there is a social contract between that man and America. Each owes a debt to the other. Each owes the other a bond that is forever. Each is not just legally obligated but also deeply connected morally and socially. This is forever.”
There is certainly some wisdom here. I initially feared that when he turned JFK’s quote on its head, this Veteran might somehow be headed toward disrespected military service, but I was wrong. His advice was more philosophical, more personal, and more strategic, and I liked it. Good advice from an old Veteran.
Another vet, the oldest in the group, the one I’d written about before, who had served on a Destroyer Escort, DE 57 USS Fogg, which had been torpedoed by a German U-boat, also had a few words to say. His first comment was that he didn’t “join” the Navy; he was drafted. But he perked up when I mentioned that I knew he had served on the USS Fogg. Clearly, this was important to him. His message to those wanting to join the military was to first join (a proper decision) and then “do your very best.”
Another older Vet, who was nearly deaf and served in the Air Force during the Korean War, said he thought the best way to do well in the military is to first want to be in the military. “If you want to be in the Air Force, then double down on what you want.” He went on to say that the military will not make you want to be there more; it is up to you. The military will provide you with purpose, and that purpose will not be forgotten, ever, but you must want to be part of that purpose, to protect America and all her citizens.
All of us talked for more than an hour, the limit of their endurance. I was honored to be there and part of their lives, even if it was only a short time. I invited them all to our Veterans’ Club Flag Day luncheon in June this year. We’d provide transportation and pay for their lunch. This way, our younger Veterans could honor them. “Younger” in this case means Vets in their 70s and 80s. They expressed interest, but I’m not sure they’ll be able to physically attend.
I’ll continue to meet with these men, these old Veterans, and I do so because I miss their stories and their presence. Not many folks today get to talk with WWII and Korean War Veterans. Not many folks realize what they have personally given up, and it is their loss. I’ll keep going back as long as I can. And I just want to see them perk up and become more alive when we talk.
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Please read my books:
For those new to General Satterfield’s website, I highly recommend you get a copy of his two books. That will both entertain and educate you on the main line of effort he puts forth in these daily posts. This is my first stop of the day. The best one is “Our Longest Year in Iraq.”
https://www.amazon.com/Our-Longest-Year-Iraq-Construction/dp/1737915510/
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Thank you Gen. Satterfield for once again highlighting this group of “old” veterans. Remember, our old veterans are those we can look up to. They were the ones who had ordinary lives in the 1940s, where they were plucked from those lives and put into extraordinary circumstances. They excelled. They live and many died in defense of the world. America had a choice to enter the war or appease Japan and Germany. We chose to fight. Unlike today among our weak, narcissistic young, these young men and some women decided to be apart of the greatest war in history.
The Destroyer Escort USS Fogg, DE 57, Navy Vet is my fav. Of course, it should be. And I’m not surprised at his “advice.” Love all those heroes. 🫡