There's a movement afoot now (call it a backlash, call it what you will) to denigrate those of us who never joined the military under the premise that we "didn't serve". I feel obligated to respond.

I never wore the colors of our United States Armed Forces, but that doesn't mean I didn't serve. When I was a senior in high school, I planned to enlist in the military to pay for college. Because of the tragic death of my brother two short years prior, however, the military wanted a psychological evaluation. While I met all of their other criteria, the psychologist at the time felt I wasn't psychologically mature enough to serve in the US Army. Whether he was right or wrong, I tried.

I did attempt once more to enlist in the military, albeit with a different outlook. As I studied pacifists throughout history, I decided that I could serve my country well as a medic (I'm not afraid of getting shot at, it's shooting someone else that's the problem). This was post 9/11, though, and my plans hinged greatly on bringing down my burgeoning weight. While I had no problem with the diet and exercise, I quickly discovered that an ankle and a knee were not cooperating in my rehabilitation. I'm now too old to enlist, so the point's pretty much gone.

As a result, I suffered a great deal of guilt, fueled by idealogues who would characterize me as being less than complete in my patriotism, and less than justified in expressing my point of view. But then I had to think hard about what it means to "serve" your country.

You see, serving in the United States Military is far from the only way to serve your country as a patriot. The government of the United States from within is as important as its defense without. To that end, I have served as much as any soldier my age, and more than some.

I have about 20 years of political activism to my credit. I have been a staffer on half dozen campaigns (and am preparing to launch my own), and an activist who has spoken before state legislators. I have stood behind the Constitutional rights of the citizens of this country, and worked to educate them as to their rights. I have spoken directly with Senators and Congresspersons at the federal level and expressed my viewpoints; in at least one occasion, it resulted in my being quoted (without credit, but it was still flattering) in open debate.

Now, don't get me wrong; I know that nobody in these forums has accused me of not having served. The guilt comes primarily from within. But I do feel that we shouldn't be so quick to judge someone superficially without knowing all the facts. There are plenty who have served, but have never held a commission.