Stars and Stripes, the Good and the Bad

These are pieces that have been written about my life experiences and perceptions of the world around me during my service to the world's greatest (although faulted) country in the world, the United States of America. Though I may not see eye to eye with some government things, I do love my country. Patriot, veteran, soldier. I do appreciate constructive critiques as I feel they will help me improve as a writer. Thank yous for service and bashing for service (while the first is appreciated and the latter not) are not needed here. Just honest reviews of work, be brutal if you must, but respectful at the same time. We are all amateurs writers here helping each other learn and grow. Enjoy!