In honor of those who died...
9/11 and the subsequent wars have vastly altered and scarred the conscious of this nation for well over a decade now. Whether or not you believe some of the more outlandish theories as to what really happened is not of any importance. I would hazard a guess that most Americans have in some way, become disillusioned with the two subsequent wars. And very few still are in lock -step with the official narrative. But theories aside, my concern is that we tend to minimize those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
My generation was the first to go over. I was 18 when we went into Iraq. In college, I saw several friends leave school to do what they thought was best. Some were eager, others were disappointed at having their lives disrupted. All went. And all of them would pay a heave price. Although physically ok, the scars of PTSD were there and showed themselves in bizarre instances. At the time none of us, including them had any idea what was happening. They simply knew they were in pain. Others I didn't know would pay the ultimate price, having their young lives cut down way too soon.
Whether you believe the wars were justified or not, the sacrifice is still real. It is disheartening to see so many negative comments about the troops. You may feel that they wasted their efforts. It is within your right to do so. But they still sacrificed. Nothing makes me angrier then to see people showing derision and disrespect to veterans. All the while patting themselves on the back for "knowing better". To not honor those who died. To not show respect when a veteran walks out onto a field. To not care for a soldier's widow and children. In a very real sense they may have been deceived, but they still went willingly. Leaving their families and loved ones behind, putting their lives on hold for a cause they believed in. Are any of so different? Would we not take up the mantle of a cause if we thought it might protect all the things we love most? Some would not I'm sure, and attempt to save themselves. But most of us would do what needed to be done to save what is most precious to us on this earth.
So this Memorial Day, whether or not you agree with the two wars, or any war for that matter, show respect for those who died. This could be as simple as not expressing your opinion for just one day. Maybe you feel you were smarter by not getting caught up in the hype. Congratulations. I have news for you. We will all be hoodwinked by someone or something in our lives. It happens. Maybe someone we trusted will take our money Bernie Madoff style. Maybe someone we loved will break our heart. Maybe a trusted friend will turn on us. That is life. And all we can do is act with honor when that time comes. Others acting without honor does not excuse our actions. Nor should the blame be on us for trying to see the best in them. Those that died deserve our respect because they acted honorably, even if our government did not. Their sacrifice is not minimized by others actions. They still answered the call when asked.