Editor:

We agree with Mr. Larry Larson’s letter (July 23) concerning the sacrifices young high school graduates are making by enlisting in the military. Like Larson’s son, our daughter, Sara, also joined the Marine Corps and is presently undergoing boot camp training in Parris Island, S.C. It’s a whole different world to her, having been raised in Safford.

Since women Marines comprise only about six percent of the entire Marine Corps, she is definitely an elite member of an already elite organization. After completing boot camp in a couple of months, she will then begin Air Traffic Control School at various Marine bases around the country.

This was Sara’s choice. She forsook collegiate academic and athletic scholarships to serve her country. “College will be there when I get out,” she said. “Besides, it will be all paid for by then. No student loans to worry about.” A valid point. Also, she can earn college credits while on active duty.

Sara sort of comes by the military naturally. Her father, grandfather and great-uncle were Marines. Many other family members have also served in various branches of the armed services going back a couple of hundred years. Her great-grandmother was a “Daughter of the Revolution,” meaning someone in her family was involved in the American Revolution in the 1770s.

While she never really talked about it much, we believe 9/11 significantly affected Sara. Although she was only 12 years old when the Twin Towers were brought down, she has, from time to time, discussed it. She keeps current with news events, so she has a fairly good grasp on what is going on in the world.

As Mr. Larson noted, most people have no idea what it takes to keep this country safely functioning. There are millions of individuals who, if they could get here, would have no qualms about killing as many of us as they could. Unfortunately, many Americans fail to realize this, insisting someone else should do the defending.

So that responsibility falls on the shoulders of Sara and the Larson son and thousands of others who have volunteered to do the dirty work. There comes a time to put down the toys and refocus on what is really important. It’s a noble calling and one a select few have chosen to answer.

It’s an old cliche, “Freedom isn’t free.” In fact, it’s becoming more costly all the time. Let’s thank those young kids who have recognized this fact and are willing to go the distance to preserve our freedoms while sacrificing theirs.

Mike and Eilene Bibb

Safford