Memorial Day
Written May 28, 2012
Last night while scanning the Drudge Report I learned that a gentleman by the name of Chris Hayes stated he feels "uncomfortable" throwing around the word "hero" to describe soldiers who died in the line of duty.
His concern is that this may subtly promote wars one does not agree with.
Sadly this comment will likely not lead to a deeper understanding of the question, which is a valid one, because it will be played out in the media where sound bites rule. He will be slammed by some and defended by others, each taking a whack at the "ignoramuses" on other side with some gotcha line, more intended to entertain friends than convert enemies.
Mr. Hayes, I understand your point because the reason I joined the military in the first place was to have my school bills paid for.
I didn't come out of a family with much military experience. Neither of my grandparents fought in World War II and my dad spent two years in the navy because he had to and then got out.
The kids just ahead of me in high school were worried about being drafted to go to Vietnam and I didn't blame them. ROTC in high school seemed to be for kids who wanted out of more strenuous physical education classes and the Boy Scouts never appealed because it seemed too regimented to be any fun.
Once I joined the Air Force and after graduation they sent me for a few weeks of officer "military indoctrination" (their words not mine) where I was instructed on how to wear the uniform, who to salute and a few other details to help me acclimate.
When the time came to get out I stayed in.
The reasons were complicated but part of it was I found the military way of thinking important and refreshing. The ceremonies that seemed silly at first started to make sense. I began to understand that I was wearing the uniform of my country in respect for her and for those who fought and died before me. My duty was to preserve something extremely rare, actually priceless, and easily lost.
The military is not perfect because it is a human institution. When it's members commit crimes they are subject to a harsher court than civilians face. Certainly the military performs unpopular actions at times under lawful orders established through the Constitution of the United States. This is not the responsibility of the individual members in the military as long as they are obeying lawful orders.
On a higher level, has the military performed actions based on lawful orders that have resulted in destruction of property and death?
Of course.
War is hell indeed.
Could things have been done differently?
Always, but this is not to say the alternatives, whatever they might be -- including surrender -- would have been better for our country and ultimately for this world. History will judge this, in the same way history will determine whether or not the loss of patriotism within our society in the name of tolerance has been a good thing for the health of our nation and others seeking to breath free.
Those were my thoughts back in 2012. Today my prayer, as always, is for world peace, but never as a concession to totalitarian regimes. That’s why I am proud to have served and am grateful for those who sacrificed their lives for you and me.
Happy Memorial Day!
Such an honorable tribute!