I sat, as did millions of other Americans, and watched as our government underwent a peaceful transition of power seven years ago.

At first, I felt a swell of pride and patriotism as I watched George W. Bush take his oath of office.

However, all that pride quickly vanished as I later watched William Jefferson Clinton board Air Force One for the last time. I saw 21 Marines, in full dress uniform with rifles, fire a 21-gun salute to the outgoing President. It was then that I realized how far America's military had deteriorated under Clinton.

Every one of them missed.