At last week's Lions Club meeting, a proud member brought his son to "show off". The young man, about 20 years old, was on Army leave from Iraq.

We had been asked several months ago by the father to fund "care packages" to the six or so local boys fighting overseas, and the son wanted to thank us. He sounded sincere and said nothing more about the situation over there.

Another club member commented about the "wonderful job you and the other soldiers were doing", etc. Then we all stood up and applauded.

I, too, followed the crowd, but I had conflicting thoughts swirling around in my head. Here's a kid from rural America, college never crossing his mind, enlisting to go "fight for his country". He returns to a hero's welcome from a war that should never have happened.

Yes, I fully appreciate those young men "serving" their country by protecting us. Perhaps they are heroes. But I ask myself, why do they join up for military service in the first place? Do they like the idea of carrying weapons and fighting? Do they desire the hero's worship? Can they not find a civilian job?

This issue runs deep in today's presidential race. How do we define "service to our country"? The candidates tried to answer that question the other day. Candidates boast of their "community" service. Voters make decisions based on military experience. I'm just not sure why the fuss is such a big deal. I'm not condemning or promoting either side--simply commenting on the issue.