We’ve all heard it: “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” This saying can be directed toward many subjects of life. Whether said about a new crush, a new car or a new job, many things are not as they seem at first glance.
Take, for instance, a church service. On Sunday morning, many dress to impress and portray flawless Christians on the straight track to Heaven. The night before, however, they were participating in activities they will never even remember until that awkward day when someone calls them out on their behaviors.
The above situation really irks me, but there is another thing nearly as bad. I can’t stand it when people live freely in America and then degrade their country by their words and actions.
Last year, I wrote about a group of Baptists that spend their free time protesting at funerals of fallen soldiers. Honestly, how low can you get? A man or woman dies fighting for your rights, and you thank him or her by protesting at his or her funeral.
I’ve read many articles about this group and, to be honest, still don’t understand what the people in the group are protesting. They hold signs that say things like “Thank God for 9/11,” “God; USA’s Terrorist” and, possibly the worst, “Pray for More Dead Soldiers.” It sounds to me like they should be a group of nonbelievers making a mockery of God rather than Christians whose goal in life is to be fishers of men.
Recently, the Supreme Court ruled it would be against the First Amendment to prevent these people from protesting at these funerals. Again, their freedom to essentially protest their freedom is being strongly protected.
These people are definitely books who should not be judged by their covers. I’m sure these people vote like any devoted American. I’m sure these people shoot fireworks on Independence Day like any devoted American. I’m sure these people place their right hands over their hearts and stand in awe of the flag while singing the national anthem like any devoted American. However, unlike many devoted Americans, they create commotion at the funerals of the soldiers who enable them to do all of the previous actions. I do not mean to blabber about these people who do not deserve my time but rather to pay homage to those who do deserve my time.
Respect, aptness to forgive and loyalty are three traits humans should strive to exhibit in everyday life. If this is a true statement, we humans should model our lives after dogs. Nobody respects another person more than a dog does. Nobody can forgive as quickly as a dog can. Nobody can possibly be any more loyal to someone else than a dog can.
We should all strive to be more like Hawkeye.
Hawkeye is the pet of the late Jon T. Tumilson who was killed recently when a rocket-propelled grenade struck a helicopter that he was in. The crash killed 30 Americans and eight Afghans. After his death, Tumilson was awarded the Purple Heart and Defense Meritorious Service Medal.
It astounds me to imagine that after receiving these great honors, his body could have been greeted by ungrateful people who were basically thanking God for his death. Security was present at his memorial service because there was speculation that protestors would be attending, but no one did.
Many family members, friends and acquaintances were in attendance, but possibly the most honored guest was, according to Tumilson’s cousin Lisa Pembleton, Tumilson’s “loyal son,” Hawkeye. Hawkeye is more than just a labrador retriever. He is a friend, a son and the epitome of what a dog should be.
Even after death, Hawkeye remains loyal to his master. When Tumilson’s friend Scott Nichols made his way to the front of the room to give his eulogy, Hawkeye stood and followed. As Nichols gave his eulogy, Hawkeye dropped onto the floor next to the casket, gave a big sigh and laid there next to his master for the remainder of the ceremony.
How is it that a dog can have such loyalty to a man, but some humans can’t? Everywhere you go, you hear people complaining about America. Nothing ever seems to be good enough to these people.
I believe people who feel this way should live in a third world country for even just a week, and maybe they will come back a little more grateful.
                  Be optimistic about your country. Be grateful toward the men and women who are fighting and dying to protect your freedom. Be loyal to your country and your fellow Americans. Be a Hawkeye.
Jay Ballard is a sophomore majoring in chemistry. He can be contacted at [email protected].