A closer look at our duties as Americans

Nancy Good will draw fire for her letter published July 11 — I want to get my opinion in early. Ms. Good’s friend calling her “unpatriotic” raises serious questions.

One of my sons served 20 years in the US Navy. I found myself unable, years ago now, to say to him: “Thank you for your service.”

I consider myself a patriot, and my children were raised accordingly — I suspect they all believe today that their mother would descend from Heaven and snatch ’em bald if they ever failed to vote. But human beings are fallible, and our doings rarely perfect; we rely on those that follow us to recognize and perhaps correct our errors.

Our Constitution carries provision for amendment because the Founding Fathers were perfectly aware of this.

David enlisted in an organization that primarily serves the affluence of corporations and monumentally rich people. I respect his desire to defend his country, and I’m grateful to the Navy for all it taught him: his understanding of “duty” is impeccable. But I — like citizens of the many countries where we’ve meddled, militarily or otherwise — cannot see calling that “service.” I think it’s the patriotic duty of Americans to try to correct America’s human errors and failings.

David and I love each other deeply; we express that freely. We recognize that while our agendas and activities may differ, our conceptions of our duty, as Americans, are close to identical.

— Chuck Greenwood, Durham