On Saturday, January 26, 2019, the United States Navy commissioned it’s newest Destroyer. The ship, DDG-1001 is a Zumwalt-class destroyer named after Navy PO2 (SEAL) Michael A. Monsoor, KIA September 29, 2006. This destroyer is cutting edge technology and is sponsored by Sally Mansoor, mother of the late hero. According to Richard Spencer, Secretary of the Navy:

“USS Michael Monsoor is one of the most capable warfighting assets our nation has to offer. This ship will provide independent forward presence and deterrence for decades to come and I am confident the crew will operate this vessel with the level of expertise, courage and strength needed to overcome any challenge.”

Michael Monsoor was only 25 years old when he died. What could he have possibly done in that time to be honored with a Navy Destroyer? Below is the video honoring this laid back, hard charger:

I’m not crying. You’re crying. What an admirable young man! Four months before his death, Monsoor-

carried a rucksack full of communications equipment in addition to his machinegun and full ammunition load-out. Collectively it weighed more than 100 pounds. He bore the weight without a single complaint, even in the midst of the 130 degree Western Iraqi summer.

and:

On May 9, 2006 Mike rescued a SEAL who was shot in the leg. He ran out into the street with another SEAL, shot cover fire and dragged his comrade to safety while enemy bullets kicked up the concrete at their feet. For this brave action, he earned a Silver Star.

That such a man lived, joined the Navy, earned the Seal Trident and consciously gave his life for his brothers in arms should make us all stand up and salute every time the flag passes or the National Anthem is played. Yes, that was a clap at all of the millennial pukes like Colin Kapernick, Kenny Stills, Albert Wilson and anyone else who disrespects the flag of our Nation. Blah, blah, blah. I know First Amendment rights. Blah, blah, blah. Shut your piehole. This is my blog post.

Speaking of millennials, Michael Knowles wrote a piece for Fox News titled: What rudderless millennials could learn from Navy SEAL Michael Monsoor — who gave his life for others. From the article:

Michael Monsoor lived and died selflessly, a testament to virtue and providence. Sadly, the memory of Michael Monsoor stands in stark contrast to the lives of young Americans today, whom surveys show to be the least patriotic, least religious, least loyal and least grateful generation in American history. Coincidentally, they’re also the most miserable, exhibiting higher rates of anxiety, stress, depression and even suicide than any of their forebears.

A recent study from Arizona State University found that a full quarter of American college students have suffered symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the 2016 presidential election.

The study’s lead researcher, Melissa Hagan, described the impetus for her study: “I taught two classes the day after the election: one undergraduate class and one graduate class,” she explained. “In both classes, students were visibly upset, with some crying.” One suspects that none of those students serves in our armed forces, where the rigors involve more than micro-aggressions.

Now, I don’t disagree with Mr. Knowles. Except the past few years when the Knoxville Covenant Health Half Marathon finish line was in the checkerboard endzone of Neyland Stadium at the University of Tennessee, I have assiduously avoided being on a college campus. What used to be places of disciplined learning are now purveyors of anti-science, racism, anti-capitalist, fascism and envy. They give degrees in areas that shouldn’t even be serious areas of inquiry. All colleges that is except my son’s alma mater, The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina (and, I am not the least bit proud.). We (our boy included) got our money’s worth out of that school.

I do not blame the millennials. I blame their self-absorbed, ever-adolescent baby boomer parents. That’s right. I blame my generation. I have never particularly cared for the zeitgeist of my generation. Mostly, I suppose because I have a rather strong personality and march to my own beat. My generation sucked at being parents. The child was born, the cord was cut and either the kids were on their own or over scheduled and helicopter parented unto suffocation.

I do disagree with Mr. Knowles about the military service. There are so many other ways to get a strong sense of self discipline. I lived and breathed ballet (Vaganova, R.A.D. and Cecchetti, if you care.) classes from the time I was four until I was in my early twenties. My daughter in law teaches Dressage, trains horses and competes. Undisciplined people cannot get near a horse.

All those poor college students triggered and depressed by the election of President Donald Trump are going to get oopsed upside the head by reality sooner or later. They will either learn or fail. That’s life. “That’s what all the people say. Riding high in April. Shot down in May.” (Thank you Dean Kay and Kelly Gordon.)

In the meantime, if you have small children, be involved and make sure they have a passion and self-discipline. Raise your son’s and daughters to be more like Michael Monsoor. Raise your child so that he/she can say of something, “I will defend”. For his parents’ sake, it’s the least we can do.

Photo credit: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jasen Moreno-Garcia/Released/Government License