Emon Beach Lifeguard Stand - Kwajalein Marshall Islands - Kwajalein Missile Range
Today is Veterans Day and it will come and go, like the winds of yesterday.
Many won’t even give it a second thought which is most unfortunate as I think Veterans day should be each and every day. Without the men and women who have fought for this country, we would not have the freedoms that we all enjoy.
I come from a military family, have friends in the service and have lost relatives (more info HERE) so, I can speak with some credibility as to the hardships that veterans and their families endure. It’s not easy and many could use our help, both financially and mental support.
But, when it comes to Iraq/Afghanistan – all in all, considering the costs to the U.S. versus the benefits I have to be intellectually honest in that I’m re-thinking my position and whether the war was worth fighting, or not. I was for it before I was against it and decided last year it’s time for an immediate withdrawal. The sectarian violence continues, our presence seems to fuel ever increasing religious extremism and clearly we can no longer afford to fight the fight given the state of the U.S. economy and budget deficit. But I’ve digressed.
The cool air of November is about the memories for some, or nightmares, for others and the combat soldier who has another day of remembering the greatness of their comrade’s as they fought beside each other. Be it in the jungles of Nam or the sands of Iraq or the Mountains of Afghanistan or even the icy terrain of Korea or the beaches of Europe. They all share a memory of where they fought with their comrades.
Veterans Day to me is a day for everyone to appreciate what our military has done for us. And how they put their lives at risk. It is a day to just honor what the military men and women have done. It’s also is a chance to remind myself, and others around me, of all the wonderful things that we as Americans have and can do, that we would not have if Veterans had not fought for it.
Thank you all!
Photo taken at Emon Beach – Kwajalein Marshall Islands (Based there circa; 1972)
Mac,
I really love reading your blog. I’ve been lurking around for quite sometime, but today I feel compelled to out myself and leave you a comment.
Being a Navy Vet myself, I’m very proud that I served and I’m extremely patriotic. Like you, I also understand the hardships that befall military families. Even though my hubby and I were an active duty couple, a lot of my girlfriends were civilian wives of other active duty sailors. I saw and felt how it was for both sides. It can be pretty rough sometimes.
That being said, I am fortunate that I served during peace time. With the exception of the Grenada invasion, “Operation Urgent Fury”, which lasted less than 3 months, I had a reasonably good experience while I was on active duty.
Right now, the History Channel is running a series on the Vietnam War. I’m watching and realizing how easy it was for the American people to be so angry. Taking a hill at the cost of many, only to leave it, so it can be overrun again just makes no sense to me. This was definitely a hard one to get behind. I was born in 1960… violence and war was always in the background of my youth.
I can only hope that we NEVER treat our military personnel like that again. I think, we as a people have to realize, they are doing a job. That job is to protect us from our enemies. Enemies that want to take away our freedom, liberties, and way of life.
Whether you agree with the decision makers or not, our fighting men and women need our support. Thank you for your sacrifices and God Bless you and your families.
GOD BLESS AMERICA!
Lady R
@ Lady R – first off thank you for your service and for taking time to comment.
Take care.
-mac
I’m re-thinking my position and whether the war was worth fighting…
I’m not advocating whether the U.S. should be here or there, or not at all…I’m going to leave the veteran debates to veterans.
But to note that Iraq seems one of the few countries in the Middle East that is stable and not working majorly against the US and beating down its own people…of course, that could change.
First of all nothing but praise for the troops who fight the wars. They are not the ones who start them, them just are the ones ordered to go fight them.
As for the war ….. I hope that one day the government “leaders” of the USA will realize that while a “democratic form” of government is good, to be successful it requires a country with people who understand how it works and the socialization to understand compromise. We keep going to countries built with thousands of years of “tribal” control. Tribal control is built on taking and holding “your area” which you rule and control. These people have no experience with a government process built on allowing “other” tribe members having a say on who will rule the country, what the laws will be, who will enforce the laws, etc. I lived through the Vietnam war, and hate to say it, but it appears to me that our government leaders learned little from that experience unfortunately.