Since the Arizona law was passed concerning illegal aliens and the requirement for them to show they are legal citizens IF they are questioned during lawful contact with police, I have been re-thinking my position on a National ID.

I remember long ago when I was just a kid and my mother registered me for elementary school (no pre-school or the like for us back in the 60s) that she had to bring a copy of my birth certificate to school before they would register me. Like most people back then, my parents thought nothing of this as they saw it as just a way to convince authorities that I indeed was entitled to the free education I was about to receive thanks to the American Tax-payer.

Later in my life I joined the military and had to show my birth certificate to the Government in order to serve. Of course, this allowed me to obtain a military ID which in turn provided me with access to places I normally wouldn't have access to (the base, BX, Commissary, etc.). The catch was that each time I wanted access to those places I had to show my ID (prove that I was authorized to visit those facilities).

Now as a retiree, I still have an ID that I must show each time I visit one of those places. I am required to show it to the Security Police at the base gate, to the ID checker at the BX and again to the cashier when I purchase something. To military and military retirees showing an ID as proof you belong is just all in a day's work and we don't look at it as an inconvenience or a bias towards us. We see it as a matter of pride - I served to obtain this ID and the rights and privileges that come along with this.

I firmly think this is the way Americans should view the requirement for a National ID. It is a privilege to carry an ID proving my American Citizenship and allowing me access to all the benefits that come along with that citizenship. It should be looked upon as a sense of pride when authorities ask for it to show this ID and proudly state - "I am an American citizen" and any who don't have this and aren't willing to obtain it lawfully should be looked upon with disdain, no matter where they come from.

I know that a National ID is a hot topic for many people, especially conservatives who a weary of big brother, but the illegal immigrant issue has brought about a time when it is necessary. We should all be proud to be an American citizen - let's make the National ID something we all want to carry and show proudly!

Steven G. Burns, PMP