Pressed Uniform and New Ribbons

When I was just a Private First Class in the United States Marines we had many uniform inspections.  I could never understand why this was so darn important?  In typical fashion the words came flying out of my mouth before I could even realize it.  Luckily for me the Corporal who happened to be doing the pre-inspection took me aside and talked with me for just a couple of minutes about it.
In retrospect I thought of this young man as having years of wisdom (and he actually did).  He asked me if I was proud to be a Marine?  The answer was yes.  He asked if anyone ever had ever bought me a beer in a bar?  The answer was yes.  He asked me if my Mom and Dad were proud that I was a Marine?  Again, the answer was yes.
The wise (young) Marine Corporal then reminded me of all the Marines like Lewis Puller, Smedley Butler, and Daniel Daly.  He reminded me of all the men who had died for this country and for freedom and for the Honor of being a United States Marine.
Here I walked around as the beneficiary of all these men's ultimate sacrifice.  I wore the uniform and carried the title, with all it's prestige and honor.  I was thought of as the baddest thing on the planet.  I was revered as the protector of freedom and a member of the greatest lineage of all time yet I was complaining about ironing my uniform and paying a couple dollars for fresh new ribbons (one at the time).
Needless to say I thought a lot differently about preserving the values, courage, and commitment that had come before me.  I only tell you this story so that I can ask; do you think about those who fought and died and earned your right to be an American?  Do you consider these things when you think that it takes too much time to write your representatives?  How much of a sacrifice is required of you when put in perspective?