TheBoltBlog

Army Captain Dan Whitten, 28, of Grimes, IA, assigned to the 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, based out of Fort Bragg, NC, died February 2, 2010, when enemy forces in Zabul, Afghanistan attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device.

Whitten is survived by his wife, Starr Whitten, his mother, Jill Whitten, his father, Dan Whitten, and his sister, U.S. Army Captain Sarah Whitten.

5 RFT
22 KB Swing
22 Box Jumps
400m Run
22 Burpees
22 Wall Ball

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I had my time in the military and I am proud of my service, however I can’t help but feel some sort of guilt for the minimal sacrifices I made when compared to men like Capt Whitten.  This sense of guilt is only compounded when I reflect upon the complete and almost total disassociation from the military/DOD in my civilian life.

Since opening the gym and starting my life as a civilian I can’t help but feel guilt from the lack of connection I have with the serving members of the armed forces.  We go about our days consumed with our own highs and lows; while Americans a half a world away face unspeakable situations and the constant threat of force.  It doesn’t affect me, it’s a whole world away, easily ignored and/or rationalized by ceremoniously ‘supporting the troops’ at any number of events so that I may delve back into my little world and forget that Americans are dying everyday.

These are husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters; families separated months at a time, year after year.  The burden for our military conflicts falls to these very few.  This disconnect makes me uneasy, an apathetic and disconnected citizenry with no skin in the game leads to more apathy and opens the door for abuse of power by our elected officials.

This post is not meant to be political.  It is not anti-war or war mongering, but it is anti-apathy.  If you truly want to support the troops become an educated citizen, take the time to engage and learn about current global affairs and our response and role in them.  Whatever your opinion, have an educated one.  And then hold to account the elected officials who make the tough decisions of when and where to send our brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, fathers and mothers into harms way; this is how you support the troops.