According to Pericles, to engage in war “is to risk everything, even life itself.” Can reading stories about war prepare a boy to be a man of honor and self-sacrifice? Join Michael Farris and William Bennett as they discuss warfare and the making of men today on Home School Heartbeat.
Mike Farris:
There is no doubt that courage, self-sacrifice and valor are often witnessed on the battlefield. Yet many modern men never really experience combat. Bill, what qualities of a good soldier should we help our sons embrace?
Secretary Bennett:
Well, I think you just mentioned them, Mike, among others, courage, self-sacrifice, and valor. These were things that used to be taught to all boys and we held up the idea of military service, of service for one’s country, on behalf of one’s country, as an ideal, and as something that all young men should consider. That’s not the way it is anymore in American society; I recently attended a funeral where a man who’d been a highly decorated veteran was honored. Six speakers and only one mentioned his military service. War is a terrible thing, but it is also a testing-ground of the virtues, and when we lose the instruction in those virtues, it’s no surprise that men get confused about what it is they’re supposed to do.
Mike:
Well said, Bill. Jesus said there is no greater love than this, than to lay down your life for a friend. True heroism always inspires. I’m Mike Farris.
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If you’ve been encouraged by what you’ve heard today and would like to know how to get your own copy of William Bennett’s book, The Book of Man, click the link above.
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