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Vets: 'More Americans Need To Serve'

Peter Haden
/
WLRN
Brothers Arnold Greene, left, and Howard Greene represented the Lake Worth Rotary at the Lake Worth Veterans Day parade on Nov. 11, 2016. Both served in the U.S. Army.

According to the Pew Research Center, just half of one percent of American adults have served on active duty in the military. The rate during World War II? About 9 percent.
 
Some veterans of that generation feel that more people need to serve.
 

Dr. Howard Greene served 30 years in the Army Medical Corps and retired a colonel.

“Participation is extremely important,” said Greene, 88, of Boynton Beach. “I don’t think there should be an alternative to military service.”

Ronald Leves served in the Army from 1958-1960.

“I was for the draft continuing,” said Leves, 76, of Lake Worth. “I saw that when they eliminated it that was going to be a problem.”

Leaves says military service connects people to the costs of war and the sacrifice of veterans. It also imparts invaluable life skills.

“You learn to mix with other people from all walks of life,  to get along. And you serve the greater good of our country. It worked for me. And I think it would work better for the youth of today.”

There’s one skill you’ll definitely sharpen in the military, according to Leves.

“You do learn how to make your bed.”

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