Can you be held in poor esteem, by association, for the actions of another or through an entire Group if painting with a broad brush?
If so, then that I am in part to blame for the killing of one and the shooting of five more in the RS&H Orlando Office in 2009 by former Associate Jason Rodriguez, whom I did not know. I worked for the same company, in the Merritt Island Office at the time - thus "guilt" by association?
[so far off the rails] - I do not envy your memories Dee, of man's inhumanity toward man, or those of you that fought beside and watched your fellow soldiers die for the Freedoms we will STILL die to defend. I do get quite melancholy when I start to think about my service in comparison to your own. In my Book, it doesn't.
Yes, my "blank check" was written, and nearly cashed once in the normal sequence of events on a Buoy Tender. Later, pushing a computer keyboard for a career isn't "sexy", pays the mortgage, affords "luxuries", puts aside something for retirement, and depending on the environment for which those keys are pressed, some days can be Gold Letter (Rocket Launch, Landing, Retrieval, etc.). Still, an old man gets misty eyed sometimes...