Jonathan Mullin raised concerns over the ISU ROTC’s Veishea display showing the tools of their trade. The ROTC had these tools laid out for children to touch and play with.

Jonathan Mullin has a problem with this. However, he did not raise the issue of the agriculture department showing off their tools. Does he realize how many people are killed every year in combine accidents? Yet these tools were on display as well. Encouraging children to think that looking at combines is wrong because of the death and destruction they cause to people in accidents.

I think there is more to it than that. Jonathan Mullin has a political agenda against the military. He is of the mentality that the military can do no right and children should be discouraged from even thinking about being a sailor, a soldier, an airman or a Marine when they grow up.

He forgets that military members are the most honorable and courageous members of our society. He forgets his freedom was built upon the sacrifices of our military members. He has no sense of honor. Honor is principled uprightness of character and personal integrity. Mullin does not want children to emulate someone with uprightness of character and personal integrity. Then there is courage. Courage can be many things, but I believe it is the willingness to do what is right no matter the consequences.

Jonathan Mullin was upset about “real weapons being laid out as if they were not a dangerous thing.” They were not active weapons and the children were under adult supervision. However, the children climbing on the tractors and combines in many cases were not under adult supervision. A child could have kicked a piece of farm equipment into gear and others could have been run over.

Meanwhile, the children he was talking about are going to be protecting his freedoms in ten or 15 years. These children will make sacrifices for Mullin and every other American. When they make these sacrifices, they will receive little gratitude, but our freedom we take for granted will be kept by the courage and sacrifices of our future.

Benjamin T. Rittgers

Senior

Computer science

Veteran, United States Navy