John Smith wrote:
K4YZ:

No. We are Americans first, fathers, good members of communities, etc...
about a hundred really important things--before we need ever list the
fact we are a ham...

I don't need "ham worship" and the guys who are drifting around after it
make me puke... that is just how it is with me...

I hang my master and Phd on the wall because those really did take hard
work and are truly a demonstration of proving myself a scholar... my ham
license hangs at the station because it is required by law!!!

I will give you a thousand reasons I am a worthwhile human being before
I ever get to the fact I am a viet vet and ham... those two things I
did for my own reasons... not really to serve any one else more than to
serve myself...

Even at 52 I come from an age when men were really men--it meant
something then to be a man, to protect the innocent, the weak, the
women, the children, American pie...

Today, I watch bellyachers lobby for more difficult barriers to be
placed in front of some--hell, I fought to make America the land of milk
and honey--and it is far different today than I would have it...

I can do one thing, and that is to "hand down" and pull up the ones who
will, all too soon, take my place--stand my responsibilities and hold
the reins...

One thing I wish to avoid until the day I die is becoming a bitter old
man decrying what a waste the youth are in this world--how deserving I
am--and how deserving all others--if you have not understood from my
words up to and at this point let me spell it out for you--SUCH "MEN"
make me sick and afraid it has all been for naught!

Warmest regards,
John

Well said, John. Steve is glory seeker, plain and simple. If it
doesn't come with a uniform, a badge, or a rank...