Also in the new constitution, we want to lower the voting age from 20 years to 18 years and also gradually implement a voluntary military service in replacement of the current compulsory military service.
quote by Chen Shui-bian

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Related quotes
An Old Soldier's Closet
The old soldier's closet holds memorabilia
in which he enjoys to reminisce and browse,
and thoughts of his military service to the
Nation gradually begins to rouse.
This is a closet where moth balls abound
with hangers of uniforms from former bases
still neatly pressed and offering him
an imaginary trip to former world places.
The old soldier's uniforms hanging there
suggests an earlier military styling
and instantly his present thoughts
with his past service is reconciling.
Staring at all the military paraphernalia
transfers him from this modern plane -
with teary eyes and a spirit of humbleness,
he is a dedicated soldier again.
poem by Joseph T. Renaldi

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My Service to This Country
If there is any experience I've had in my life,
I am most proudest to have accomplished.
Would be my service to this country,
In the military!
In the military,
I experienced true friendship.
Strict discipline.
And was taught 'why' and reasons,
I should and must respect.
The men and women from all walks of life,
Were dedicated and loyal.
And all could trust what was done,
Was to benefit the cause...
Of what was correct and upright!
Those without this experience,
Seem to be superficial, selfish.
Lacking a self respect and/or common sense.
And the military is the only institution,
Where young people grow...
Acquiring a maturity not on the common man bestowed.
And those who treat the ones of military experience...
As people who protect their interests,
And then can easily dispose.
Make foolish judgements based on temptations and whims.
And their insecurities are taken for granted!
And this clearly shows.
If there is any experience I've had in my life,
I am most proudest to have accomplished.
Would be my service to this country,
In the military!
And glad upon my life,
This has been bestowed!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

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A young man who does not have what it takes to perform military service is not likely to have what it takes to make a living. Today's military rejects include tomorrow's hard-core unemployed.
quote by John F. Kennedy

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Since far fewer people are recruited to serve in a voluntary military, the connection between America and its military is increasingly tenuous and less personal.
quote by John McHugh

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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So In My Travels...
To go through the steps,
Just to qualify myself deserving
Of receiving a paycheck...
Has never set well,
With my personal philosophy.
There should be more to one's existence,
Than an exploitation to salivate...
In the licking of fingers and lips,
After dining and wining at an exclusive...
Invitation only gluttonous feast.
It's much like performing a service,
In the military.
I was there because of patriotism.
Not because I wanted to learn,
Acts of discipline.
Even though many lessons were taught.
Besides defense mechanisms.
I admit I have issues,
With those who seek college degrees.
Most of them skipping a service in the military.
Only to earn a degree to seek high paying salaries.
With no commitment to leave an impression...
On others with the teaching of skills to please.
And those of military experience,
Have much to offer.
And...
With a commitment unquestioned in existence
So in my travels...
I observe those of devoted integrities,
Demoted to obscurities and judgements passed.
As those of a self righteousness defend their travesties.
And this as seen is very clear to me.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

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My Old Footlocker
My footlocker holds another world
in which I like to travel,
And my thoughts seem to be real
as slowly they begin to unravel.
An old military footlocker tightly packed
with memorabilia of former bases
look travel-packed and offers me
a fantasy ticket to former places.
Outmoded garb folded neatly
suggesting early military styling,
and instantly my present thoughts
with military service are reconciling.
A footlocker filled with many memories
transfers me from this present plane -
with eyes half closed, in humbleness,
I am a soldier again.
poem by Joseph T. Renaldi

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We've built the largest empire in the history of the world. It's been done over the last 50 years since World War II with very little military might, actually. It's only in rare instances like Iraq where the military comes in as a last resort.
quote by John Perkins

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At the beginning, Lincoln was so inexperienced he had reverence for military expertise, not realizing that there wasn't any military expertise, that the most anybody had commanded up to that point had been somebody, some troops in the Mexican War, and it had been years ago.
quote by David Herbert Donald

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I grew up in a military family, and there's something about that military-style uniform, all cleaned up, a brutal control effort the military necessarily breeds.
quote by Max Cannon

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I had examined myself pretty thoroughly and discovered that I was unfit for military service.
quote by Joseph Heller

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My Simple Award
I was informed just lately
That I am among those to be called
Who will be rewarded a service pin?
For having served for twenty five years
An accolade for doing public service
Is quite an honor for being recognized
But like five years ago when I did not
Come up to the stage to receive such
For me it is not important
To receive with any award
For what I do is simply my job
To perform what I was trained for
It makes me sad to learn now
After twenty five years of working
I will be called in front of the public
To accept the fact that soon I have to go
Retirement is a bonus phase in life
Forced to give up work for becoming old
Aging marks that sooner one's life will end
My youth used up for service is my sole bliss
poem by Marvin Brato Sr

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On completion of my military service, I went back to the factory and to the trade union.
quote by Leon Jouhaux

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One only has to look at the performance of the economy to understand how it shapes the perspective of America's youth about military service.
quote by John M. McHugh

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I saw courage both in the Vietnam War and in the struggle to stop it. I learned that patriotism includes protest, not just military service.
quote by John F. Kerry

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In 1916 I was discharged from military service, or rather, given a sort of leave of absence on the understanding that I might be recalled within a few months. And so I was a free man, at least for a while.
quote by George Grosz

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Military Man
The fightings over now
Theres nowhere left to run
My ammunitions out
Id better put down my gun
And as I face this life of fear
Id better keep my conscience clear
Inside my mind Im out of it
And I aint never coming back
Chorus:
So dont come running here to find me
cos Im a military man
And as I spin this wheel of fortune
In my military world
Im a military man
The architects of time
Are calling me
But I dont believe it
Necessarily
And as I face this life of fear
Break the chains
That bind me here
Inside my head Im out of it
But Im still never coming back
Chorus
Im a military man
Just a military man yes I am
song performed by by Asia

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Meanwhile, our young men and women whose economic circumstances make military service a viable career choice are dying bravely in a war with no end in sight.
quote by Charles Rangel

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The service of the fruit is precious, the service of the flower is sweet, but let my service be the service of the leaves in its shade of humble devotion.
aphorism by Rabindranath Tagore from Stray Birds (1916), translated by Rabindranath Tagore

Submitted by Veronica Serbanoiu
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The Secret Service is a strange group. They don't really have a leader. It's not set up like a military. Each one is supposed to be able to act like a leader when something comes up.
quote by Val Kilmer

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