How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
Now TJ said, "I want to go to Vietnam because it's the right thing to do, sir. That's the only reason. I'll go to college when I get back." (2.29)
Even though the Colonel fears that TJ is only signing up for the army out of revenge for his buddy or compulsion, TJ assures his dad that's not the case—not even close. Check out what he says about it being the right thing to do. That sounds an awful lot like a sense of duty to us.
Quote #5
He'd raised us to believe in the Army way. And as far as I was concerned, he'd raised us right. (2.38)
Since Jamie's already told us that the army values duty, sacrifice, and honor, we know that's what she means here. She thinks duty is super important because it's valued in the army. Okay, we can get behind that. What about elsewhere in life? Does Jamie have any experiences with duty that aren't a part of the army?
Quote #6
When we were stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, he'd driven me and TJ to the veterans' hospital over in Durham one Christmas just to pay our respects to the soldiers there, a lot of whom had fought in World War II. We owe them our gratitude and respect, the Colonel had said. The very least we can do is wish them a Merry Christmas. (8.4)
The Colonel is really big on duty, and not just in the army, but in everyday life, too. He doesn't care whether his kids want to move around, relocate to Germany, or visit war veterans in the hospital. He takes them along anyway because he firmly believes it is there duty to do so.