There is a very good reason why armies recruit young men between the ages of 16 and 23.
While a 30 or even 40 year old can do most everything a young soldier does only a young soldier can convince himself he likes it.
Silly and stupid one might say.
And one could be right.
Only a fool would do it and only a stupid fool would enjoy it.
But those silly stupid fools are the only ones who stand between us and the evil monsters who love death more than life and misery more than happiness.
It is our young men our valiant young men who once again clean their weapons check their gear and gird their loins and say to the tyrant of northeast Asia “Not on my watch!”
It is a proven fact that the judgement center of a man’s brain actually shrinks from the onset of puberty until around the age of 25.
They measured,
And for the rest of us it is a good thing it does.
Because soon, perhaps very soon our young men could be asked again to risk life and limb for country.
If they could think about the risks as a mother or father does they would shrink back.
We know several of them.
We are privileged to know several of them.
They will put themselves in harm’s way to protect us.
In a way we envy them.
To have such a clear mission. To be the good against such an obvious evil is a wonderful and glorious thing.
And we pray for them and beg the Almighty to protect them.
They are the best of us.
They are heros.
“We invoke your blessings upon the members of our American military forces, those brave men and women whose courage and commitment to that for which this country stands protects us all.
Whether by air, land or sea, wherever their orders take them, we ask, dear God, that they be protected within your sheltering presence. Shield them from harm and from pain, assuage their loneliness, and sustain their faith in the face of the formidable enemies that they confront on a daily basis. May all of their efforts be crowned with victory, and the assurance that we who depend on their courage appreciate and understand the great difficulty of their work.
Most of all, we pray what for all soldiers is the ultimate prayer- that they be privileged to return to the loving arms of their families and a grateful country safely, speedily, and in good health. Because of their courage, may we all be privileged to know and savor the blessings of true peace and security.
Amen.”
Rabbi Gerald C. Skolnik