My Father was in the Army.  I’ve mentioned that before.  We often played soldier around the house.  My brother and I would march with our shoulders back and chins tucked, bodies straight, looking forward and listening attentively for which way to turn.  The Army provided my Father with a paying  job and home ownership thanks to Veterans’ benefits awarded to deserving soldiers who served their country during the War.  My brother later joined the Army.  He was injured in service.  He received disability benefits and a college education too, all thanks to the U.S. Army.  Other uncles and cousins were part of the  Air Force and Navy.  We learned a lot and received a lot from Armed Services.  Even my Mother’s education was provided with military benefits.  Thankfully she never had to go to war to repay it. 

I was the exception in terms of serving militarily, but the lessons they learned were handed down to me.  Always walk with your shoulders back.  It helps you to stand tall amid some difficult times that make mere mortals start to bend under the pressure.  When you stand tall, have faith and look forward because as adults (role models) people look up to you.  You become a leader, not always a follower.  Your path is clearer somehow.  When you tuck your chin, your eyes become firmly fixed forward, not backward.  You don’t have to focus on the past.  Afterall the past is done.  There’s nothing you can do about it, except move forward.  With your chin tucked, you can’t see too far forward, because it would be tempting to try and see the future, where you don’t belong, and can’t predict, and again, can do nothing about. 

The Army also taught me to listen attentively so that you know which way to turn.  The wrong turn can mean trouble—tripping, injury, problems, pain.  Listening can avoid problems.  Simple, isn’t it? Not easy.  But simple.  Who would have thought?  A simple game of playing Army had such valuable lessons, like, straighten up.  It’s as important today as it ever was.