I arose early this morning and reached for my book on the nightstand next to my bed. I was almost finished with "Beyond Band of Brothers - The War Memoirs of Major Dick Winters" and was anxious to read of his life after war.
I'm sure most of you know the story of Maj. Winters. Easy Company Commander, 506 Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division on D-Day 1945, receipient of the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions on D-Day +1. He was a highly respected officer and much beloved by his soldiers. Maj. Winters became famous, along with many Easy Company comrades, after the publication of Stephen Ambrose's book "Band of Brothers" and the HBO mini-series by the same name. A true American hero who promised himself and his God that "if (he) survived, (he) would find a small farm somewhere in the Pennsylvania countryside and spend the remainder of (his) life in quiet and peace." Maj. Winters did just that. However, there's something else he did upon returning home. Given all this talk from the McCain/Palin camp about taxes and the "redistribution of wealth," this passage in Maj. Winters' book struck a chord with me.
When I reached home, one of the first things I did was to go directly to the post office, where the Internal Revenue Service office was located, and insist that I pay the income tax on my income as an officer. The IRS man looked at me incredulously and said, "Son, you don't have to do this even though the regulations say you must. We will waive the return."
I responded, "Sir, I want to pay my part of the bill. I am proud to be an American!"
He bowed his head and we figured out my bill, which I immediately paid in full.
"Beyond the Band of Brothers" by Maj. Dick Winters
Sarah Palin said to Joe Biden, "You said recently that higher taxes or asking for higher taxes or paying higher taxes is patriotic. In the middle class of America, which is where Todd and I have been all of our lives, that’s not patriotic."
Well Gov. Palin, here is an American hero who didn't have to pay ANY taxes but did. He understood that the price for living in a democracy didn't stop at serving in the military, fighting a war, and almost giving his life for his country. He understood that taxes are the price every citizen must pay for inclusion in this democracy.
Paying taxes is patriotic. And if Maj. Dick Winters thinks so, then shouldn't Sarah Palin?