This was a difficult column for me to write. Its development began with reflections on Fourth of July, Memorial Day, Confederate Memorial Day and Armistice Day/Veterans Day celebrations or commemorations. Each event resulted in loss of life aplenty.

If a nation’s borders are safe, the extent of a war might not be understood by its citizenry. Lt. Col. Bill Connor, having served with the S.C. National Guard in Afghanistan, wrote: “... Virtually all news is focused on Iraq. Many Americans have little idea that we are still fighting in Afghanistan.”

Since 1973, U.S. military strength has been carried out by volunteers for maintaining peace on behalf of the nation. But the United States is a community; therefore, its military commitments must be shared. Norwegian dramatist and poet Henrik Ibsen (1828-1906) wrote: “A community is like a ship; everyone ought to be prepared to take the helm.” We must serve militarily.

Chimed in former American first lady Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962): “It isn’t enough to talk about peace. We must believe in it. And it isn’t enough to believe in it. One must work at it.” Responsible military operations and peace go hand in hand in the United States and abroad.

The ongoing war in Iraq – now more than five years old – is causing U.S. citizens to question volunteer military units where wars could abruptly begin. There reportedly are military personnel in the Middle East serving multiple tours of duty.

Here are seven reasons for a reconfigured U.S. military draft:

1. The reconfigured draft would apply to men, but women would be encouraged to join the military branches. Draft boards would issue deferments or exemptions as warranted.

2. Military recruitment. Military personnel in some branches reportedly include convicts, high school dropouts, etc. Recruits must meet eligibility standards.

3. Family reinforcement. Some family situations are out of control. Families would benefit from a reconfigured military draft. Family situations will improve.

4. K-12 education. With draft-age men on standby availability, the military and K-12 educators could forge commonalities for 21st century life. The reauthorized federal No child Left Behind concept might benefit from this kind of educational togetherness.

5. National pride. Military life should be part and parcel to the American culture. This is a where the United States could deviate from practices in other nations relative to the draft.

6. Reduced criminal activity. This is a hunch, but it is a hunch worth investigating. A military-related national consciousness might reduce criminal activity and incarceration.

7. Uniform pride. The Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard would have young people looking them over to possibly enter their ranks based on uniform pride.

One must learn what a reconfigured military draft might mean to the American public. But said American journalist Edward R. Murrow (1908-1965): “We will not be driven by fear into an age of unreason if we remember that we are not descended from fearful men, not from men who feared to write, to speak, to associate and to defend causes which were, for the moment, unpopular.” A reconfigured U.S. military draft might be an unpopular issue, but we will not know this without discussions on the issue.

Reach T&D Columnist Howard D. Hill, Ph.D., via www.educationconsultant@sc.rr.com

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