Monday, Jan. 3, 2005 | 9:14 a.m.
Not all American citizens go into the military service for patriotic reasons. During the Korean War I went into the service not for patriotism, but for self-preservation.
I was living with my parents in a somewhat dysfunctional atmosphere. I knew at the time that I had to distance myself from this situation. My time in the service was beneficial for my parents and myself.
In the service I learned more about teamwork than patriotism. I served with poor and middle-class servicemen, not with upper-crust, silver-spooned flag wavers. In the end we all cared for each other. You can call that patriotism of a personal nature.
JOHN TOMINSKY
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