One of the true ironies of the 21-year-old drinking age is that we have young men and women fighting for this country that cannot legally walk into a tavern and have a drink. They are old enough to pay the ultimate price in the eyes of our government, but not old enough to buy a drink.
The Marine Corps has recognized that someone mature enough to storm a building occupied by al-Qaeda or Taliban fighters surely can have a glass of beer, wine or spirits. The Marines have ruled that service members as young as 18 can have a drink of alcohol on Marine bases on special occasions.
Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Conway signed the order, which allows local commanders to designate Marine Corps birthday celebrations and home coming parties after combat deployments as special occasions where drinking will be allowed.
In 1995 the U.S. Defense Department told each branch of the service that drinking ages on bases should conform to local laws. Some are protesting the move, including Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
It's too bad that the anti-alcohol groups in this country don't realize they owe their ability to criticize the government to the very Marines they would like to deny an adult beverage.
3 comments:
I am against the war in Iraq but this is a good thing. This kids (people I went to school with) are stuck in a bad spot and should be aloud a drink now and then. I am also against the drinking age of 21, but that topic for another post.
P.S.
I really love your blog. You are the only place I know of to get easy info about changing alcohol laws. Keep up the good work!
I truly believe that men and woman who are brave enough to fight for our freedom should be able to have a celebraton drink coming on base. They are old enough to fight for the freedom that some of obviously take for granted everyday. The recruiting age of a soldier is ok at 18, but the drinking age is not? I totally disagree. To the brave men and woman who are fighting for the freedom that my family and fellow Americans love, we salute you and please have a drink on me tonight. We all pray for your safe return.
I joined the Marine Corps in 1976, 1month after my 17th birthday i was in Boot Camp, At one time i was the youngest Marine on Camp Pendelton. I could & did go into the Base club & have a beer when i felt like it or had the money, I had become a man, it never harmed me nor any one else. If you earn the title U.S. Marine, you damn well deserve to have a beer at the club with your fellow warriors.
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