I live with no electricity and no running water for 5 out of seven days a week. I work cheap in the woods with a chainsaw making fuel and building material. I am a good shot with handguns (to 25 yards), shotguns and rifles, at least to 100 yards. So, you're tough. So am I. Do you think that these ideals grow in a vacuum? What do you do to further the cause of freedom, other than fight for a state or live in Detroit?
I used to generate electricity and make running hot and cold water. That got boring.
I used to generate energy by pulling two large chunks of carefully designed, engineered and manufactured metal apart at extremely precise rates and amounts. That got boring.
I used to maintain security of a nuclear submarine base. That got boring.
I used to make warships invisible to radar. That got boring.
I used to make sure that nuclear weapons would work when needed but only when needed. That got boring.
I used to design lasers for weapons. That got boring.
I used to test satellites before they were launched. That got boring.
I used to fix robots that destroyed roadside bombs. That got boring.
I used to hold political office. That got boring.
Now I study the ocean. I hope we learn enough that we can protect it from the CO2 acid bath that mankind is pumping into it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocean_acidificationIf I am successful, our great great great grand children might have an earth to grow up in.
If not, our great great great grand children will be more worried about their physiological needs than safety. (reference Maslow)
However, I have never worked cheap, even when handling a chainsaw, so you got me there.
edit
Sorry, I forgot to mention that I have a couple of these:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marksmanship_Medal
