This is almost identical to last the last two years’ Memorial Day articles. I did not see how I could express my position more clearly.
You may ask why I, as one who opposes war almost by definition, would want to celebrate the day in which we honor those military service people, who have given their lives in service to America. From my earliest days as an antiwar activist opposing the war in Vietnam, I have believed that it is as important to honor the warriors, as it is to oppose the wars.
They took an oath to obey and honored it. They had nothing to do with the decisions. I have no doubt that, if those who died in our Revolutionary War, for example, can look at today’s Republican wars for hate and greed, they are shedding tears over the senseless waste of life, but honoring their comrades as they fall.
Now, unlike Veterans day, Memorial Day is not intended as celebration of those who served and survived. Nevertheless, to all veterans who read this, thank you for your service. I thank God that you are not among those whom we honor today.
Finally, if you are in the service now, you have the hardest decisions any US service person has ever had to make. I consider your lives far too precious to spend defending Trump’s personal profit or Russia’s national interest.
RESIST THE REPUBLICAN REICH!!
VOTE!!
8 Responses to “Memorial Day”
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TC, You could not have understood and communicated the position of honorable veterans any better even if you were a veteran yourself.
My fear is that the next shooting war America engages in will be a second Civil War, which, like the first, will split families and friends … but, unlike the first, will not be a simple matter of geography to define I won’t be praying to survive it … but I will be praying for our democracy and ouR Constitution to survive it.
RESIST AND PERSIST!
I always am touched by the moving poignancy in this photo …
You know how I feel about the sadness, and atrocity(ies) of war(s).
As it is for those who have died, I have the utmost Respect, and for those living, it is a time of Remembrance for our Fallen on this Day.
Thank you, TC, for your eloquent words which speaks volumes.
Nameless, very moving picture.
We owe them our thanks that they died so we can live in freedom – and disagree in a civilized manner.
In Canada, we honour the survivors and the departed on Remembrance Day, 11 November, annually. As a teen, when my school mates were enjoying a day off school, I was at the Cenotaph to pay homage to those who went to war when their country called. I can also say that those who survived often returned with what is now called PTSD. Both my father, who was in the Royal Canadian Navy in the Pacific theatre, and my step father, who was a paratrooper in the European theatre, never spoke of their wartime experiences because it was too painful.
My stepfather once told me that if career soldiers were in charge, there would not be any war because they understand the price.
“I consider your lives far too precious to spend defending Trump’s personal profit or Russia’s national interest.” — AMEN!!!
Drumpf should not be the Commander-in-Chief, not even nominally, since he shirked his responsibility with false bone spurs.
Thanks, hugs and Amen!