Service in a Free Society

"Politicians, pundits, and social commentators often lament the fact that the United States has no comprehensive program for national service. Both major-party candidates in the 2008 presidential election proposed such plans, and retired General Stanley McChrystal recently proposed a national service program. Although McChrystal graciously acknowledges Americans' expressions of gratitude for the service and sacrifices of those in the military, he argues, "Americans performing critical, selfless service to our country are less common than they must be.""