May is military appreciation month. As a retired Navy Chaplain and the father of a Marine 2nd Lieutenant and another child headed to Marine Corps Officer Candidate School, I would like to share what I learned in the Navy.

1) Be on time, preferably early.

While serving with the Marines in Okinawa, Japan, a Major General arrived five minutes early; two subordinate commanders arrived on time. The General informed them that the meeting started when he arrived, not when they did.

2) Actions speak louder than words.

During a midshipman cruise, another midshipman and I served aboard the same minesweeper. We each had a workbook to complete. I completed mine on schedule while my shipmate did not. Our marks revealed whom the executive officer thought better matched up words with action.

3) Many of the unfortunate things that happen to us are a result of our own choices.

A single parent and sailor sought my assistance because she couldn't make ends meet. I told her that if the father was a sailor the navy would make certain he provided support. The mother reported she didn't care for the father and never had. She didn't want his assistance. I wondered why she had a baby with him in the first place.

4) Members of the Armed Services are not warmongers.

Military men and women know the horrors of war. They would prefer to avoid it if at all possible. A fraternity brother from college (during the Vietnam War) was "gung-ho" for killing North Vietnamese fighters. He attended summer training with the Marines who sent him and told him not to apply to the Marine Corps; he was "crazy."

5) Clarify my own faith.

Serving with chaplains from many different denominations and faith groups taught me to examine what I believed. The process helped me become stronger in my own faith.

Let us take our "hats off" to our military personnel who serve around the world and to our veterans.

Thank you for your service.