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Veterans Then and Now
In his Ft. Hood eulogy yesterday, the President eloquently honored “men and women answering an extraordinary call–the call to serve their comrades, their communities, and their country. In an age of selfishness, they embody responsibility. In an era of division, they call upon us to come together. In a time of cynicism, they remind us of who we are as Americans…
“Tomorrow is Veterans Day. It is a chance to pause, and to pay tribute–for students to learn of the struggles that preceded them; for families to honor the service of parents and grandparents; for citizens to reflect upon the sacrifices that have been made…”
In one school yesterday, eighth-graders spent the morning with men in their seventies and eighties, trying to reach across the gap of generations to explain what those struggles were like.
For those children, the messages boiled down to a simple narrative: We came because our country needed us, we did what had to be done, even when and especially when we were afraid, and we learned how much we were connected to those who served with us and protected us as we protected them.
The children wanted to know if war had changed us. How could it not?
2 Responses to “Veterans Then and Now”
Thanks to you Robert and to all the other veterans who inhabit TMV for your service to our country. While I have often questioned the wisdom and moral fiber of the politicians who make decisions about war, I have never questioned the bravery and honor of the men and women who answer the call to service in defense of our country.
I second Robert. But my war was not so cut and dry as his.
I am a Vietnam veteran. I didn't answer any clarion bell. I joined to avoid being drafted and to be the first in my family to get a college education – up front – a 4 year scholarship.
I didn't feel I was fighting for my country. I fought to protect Marines on the ground and my squadron and ship mates because they were doing the same for me. .
The political leadership of this country failed us, asking us to do those things when it wasn't in our nation's interest.
I served, regular and reserve, for ten years and earned the right to say these things. To tell you that it is not alright to let patriotism morph into blind nationalism. That we somehow have to reach the position where continuing a bad war is not the default, where admitting a mistake can also be the honorable path. Where support the troops can mean avoiding or stopping a bad war.
Where support the troops means, at the very least, sacrificing on the home front to actually pay for the war and not just running up debt. Tax the military contractors to reduce their profits in war time. Add an income surcharge to pay for the rest. Take the comfort out of the war and provide incentive to end it as quickly as possible.
My Veteran's Day happy thought.