Veterans Day 2010

[sunskyfan]

In an ideal world there is never a wolf at the door, nor a madman with a weapon convinced he is talking to god or that he is god. There is never a mob afraid or hungry or both. But we do not live in an ideal world and it is for that reason men and women for centuries have risen up to defend what is ours and most importantly our dignity. That dignity is our ability to walk as free people living our own narrative, our own identity, and the confidence that what we create is ours. The honor that they deserve is not just that they risk their lives for us but that they may have to kill for us in an environment where the right is not obvious and where justice is never clean for that is war and war is our reminder that the world is not a perfect place. It is our obligation and bond with them to share this burden and remember their sacrifice in blood, heart, and most of all soul for without that covenant of honor we are hypocrites and they are lost. Thank you veterans. Thank you so very much.

[Raz]

Re: Veterans Day 2010

Yes, indeed, thank you very much, veterans.

My father-in-law died 5 years ago today. He was a wonderful man who served as an army Lieutenant in the European Theater of WWII.
He didn't like the American Empire, and though very conservative, he voted against Bush in 2004. He gave me two quotes, however, that summed up
his thinking concerning national defense (not "empire" defense):

"Si vis pacem, para bellum" ("If you want peace, prepare for war").

Julius Caesar

"Only the dead have seen the end of war".

Plato

[GRG55]

Re: Veterans Day 2010

In an ideal world there is never a wolf at the door, nor a madman with a weapon convinced he is talking to god or that he is god. There is never a mob afraid or hungry or both. But we do not live in an ideal world and it is for that reason men and women for centuries have risen up to defend what is ours and most importantly our dignity. That dignity is our ability to walk as free people living our own narrative, our own identity, and the confidence that what we create is ours. The honor that they deserve is not just that they risk their lives for us but that they may have to kill for us in an environment where the right is not obvious and where justice is never clean for that is war and war is our reminder that the world is not a perfect place. It is our obligation and bond with them to share this burden and remember their sacrifice in blood, heart, and most of all soul for without that covenant of honor we are hypocrites and they are lost. Thank you veterans. Thank you so very much.

+1.

My maternal grandfather was a military officer during and after WWII, and my youngest brother is now on his third tour as an officer with Canadian Forces in Kandahar.

Like everything in life, an appropriate level of military capability, deployed after moderate and sober thought, is [unfortunately] necessary. It's when we allow it to be taken to excess [what Eisenhower warned about] that we get into difficulty.