The military is an extension of the government, it does as ordered to do, that is it's function. I could care less what any of them did, if they were the best line of admirals cooks ever enlisted, I would be equally as proud of them. they served, they gave, they sacrificed. That is the point, and there is no other. They had no control of what that service would include, and they, nor I, would ever make excuses or apologize for any of it.
I respect and admire all who served, regardless of status, regardless of station. They served, and in their service, we all enjoy our freedoms to this day. Without them, without a strong military, I doubt we would be having this conversation at all.