I have to say, coming back from the NSF has given me new appreciation for the military. So as we spend this quiet Memorial Day weekend (disinclined to brave the typical traffic), I keep thinking about all the officers I met and spent time with, and what will happen to them and what sort of challenges they'll be facing. Until now, I'd only met Veterans whose war fighting days were past them. But now I think of the hazardous and uncertain future my new friends and acquaintances will be facing, and I will be keeping my fingers crossed for them in their upcoming duties and responsibilities.
PAD
Posted by Peter David at May 29, 2006 08:27 AM | TrackBack | Other blogs commentingAnd they say liberals don't appreciate the military! Appreciation and support of the military does not require blind support of national policy.
The men and women of the armed services have a job to do, and Goddess bless 'em for going into the line of fire and doing it.
I think the best way to support the troops is to make sure their lives aren't wasted in side shows, or in bringing "democracy" to the world.
The notion that liberals don't support the military is ludicrous on its face, because it ignores the fact that liberals have been in the military, and/or have loved ones in the military themselves. It's not like the military is populated by right-wingers, after all.
Happy Memorial Day to all.
It has always bothered me that unless you are willing to blindly allow our troops to be misused,
you are accused of not supporting them. In another
venue, in March 2003, I wrote the following:
"The fourth-best way to 'Support the Troops' is
to make sure they have all the equipment they
need to perform the job thoroughly and safely.
The third-best way to 'Support the Troops' is to make sure their families are taken care-of while they are away serving our national needs
The second-best way to 'Support the Troops' is to fully fund veterans’ benefits to take care of them after they get back.
The best way to 'Support the Troops' is to not use them unless really needed.
Can we - on this day - keep the whole "liberal vs. conservative" thing on ice. We all love our country, and I know few of any political stripe who don't support the military troops and their service. That is the message to be sent today, not "hey, our group likes you better/as much" as the other guys".
I echo your sentiments, Peter. I have a co-worker who has been in Kabul, Afghanistan, for a month and has five more months to go on his deployment. I've known him a long time, as he worked for me when we were both assigned to Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, in 1998. Needless to say, we're counting the days until he returns home safely.
Our announcer at work put it best. His stepson is in Iraq now, and before he went over, Memorial Day was just another long weekend. We all have to take the time to remember the ones who gave up everything for us. I don't think we should just remember and honor the dead, but everyone who serves and remember them today.
Luigi, I agree with your statement. I was merely passing on opinion I overheard during my travels through North Carolina. It was opined that "damn fool liberals" don't "love our troops" because they don't support the war.
As for my timing, mea culpa, between the job, and the fact I live in the GWN (Great White North) (No,not North Dakota), I sometimes lose track of what day it is where.
Unfortunately, it seems that right wingers/neo-cons have wrapped themselves in flags on both sides of the border, and have turned that most basic tenet of freedom (questioning your government and expecting an answer) into an act of treason and a slap in the face of every man and woman who risked and, some tragically sacrificed, all to protect that right.
To any veterans from either side of the border, THANK YOU
Amen. The important thing to remember is that with this world we live in, we need our military now more than ever. We should never confuse our feelings about the way politicians use that vital institution, with the people who are volunteering to put their lives on the line to protect us.
My last proximity to the military was at my mother's funeral a few months ago. My father and mother were assured burial space in Jefferson Barracks Cemetary in St. Louis, through the GI Bill. They were given a very satisfactory plot of ground, and a thorough service by the grounds personnel.
That same GI Bill got my father some much-needed education to qualify for a good civilian job after he retired from the service. And it got me a low-interest college loan, which I was proud to pay off completely.
It saddens me that the government has cut benefits for military veterans, and for that matter the dependent families, to the point that many of those families have to depend upon church and civic charities for enough food to survive. I'm not going to point fingers at any particular party or person (at least not here), but it seems that support for the military is pretty much limited to a warm handshake and a few mealy words.
Peter, if you haven't read it already, I recommend John Roger's excellent take on Memorial Day and supporting the troops. Truly, one of the best pieces of writing I've read this year.
http://kfmonkey.blogspot.com/2006/05/lions-led-by-donkeys.html
Let us always remember and honor the men and women who lost their lives defending this country. And let us pray for the men and women who serve today, that they may return home safely, hailed as the heroes they are.
That's all I have to say.
PAD,
Honestly, I am not surprised at your compliments for the troops you met. But it is nice to hear you express them. We can disagree on a lot, but it is worth honoring those who do serve with integrity and commitment to protect our country.
While you may keep your fingers crossed, I will pray for them (since I believe it makes a difference). That should cover at least two of the positive options available.
Iowa Jim