Veteran's Day (Nov 11, 2007 )
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Thanks guys...indeed a pleasure doing business with you!
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<sadrant>
It's always a hard day for me.
I appreciate the sacrifices made by solders on behalf of their country; my country. But I mourn the unnecessary deaths in unnecessary and immoral wars. And I know that the solders did not make the decisions that caused those wars. And I know that in those wars, many perform with excellence and dignity. And I know that war also brings out the worst in people and that the great evil done in war is understandable, even if not acceptable.
And I know that as a (not-absolute) pacifist, I am unwilling to take their place.I feel the same way when I see a solder. I want to support them in the challenges they face, but I am ashamed of what they are doing in my name.
It's hard for me.
</sadrant>
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John, I understand what you are saying...and now I am given the unfortunate opportunity to watch a third generation of veterans cope, in so many ways, with the same issues you describe. But this day for me isn't about social ideals, moral issues, or any other scope of thought:
This day, for me, is about one simple, individual, human act (and nothing before or after it, whether high or low, selfish or selfless, mundane or heroic, enters into my sentiment on this day)...it is that clear moment of each veteran, saying quietly to themselves: "Yes, I will serve."
For that act alone I unabashedly, without prejudice (or even thought) toward others or other issues, say "Thank You" to each and all.
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Dear Tom,
Is your Veteran's Day the same as our Remembrance Day? My father served in WW2 as a Royal Marine Commando, from just being 18 years old in 1939 until 1946. He went in on Gold Beach on D-Day, and was lucky to survive. He died in 1993, but each year I honour the memory of his lost youth and good health, and the sacrifice of those who fought alongside him.
Many wars are unjust, and all are politically motivated (from natural resources to world domination), but we can still honour the memory of those who fell in the service of their country, even if misled and abandoned by their politicians.
There is a clip of the Remembrance Day Ceremony at the Cenotaph Memorial in London. It may move you as it moves me.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7089225.stm
Kind regards,
Bob -
Unfortunately, so many of our veterans continue to sacrifice after they come home. Many homeless are veterans (even of the most recent wars). And I've recently read quite a few reservists returning from Iraq and Afghanistan have lost their jobs and the government is not helping them (by law they are supposed to have job security). It makes me want to cry sometimes when I see how our government treats them.
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To Tom and others,
Happy Veteran's Day and thank you for what you've done for me, my family and my country. Thank you for your sacrifices. Welcome home. As a veteran myself, I appreciate what you and all veterans have done and I remember my brothers and sisters in arms who did not come home.
Allen
(Alpha Company, 2nd Bn 2nd Inf, 1st Inf Div, Lai Khe, RVN)
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Thank you to all who have and are serving. And a special thanks to you Grandfather, I know you are watching from above.
I played trumpet at 2 services today and it was difficult to see all the crying faces when I played taps.
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I wondered about that too, John. I hope Ken responds.
Bob, yes...I think so for the most part. But in the mid-50's Ike proclaimed Armistice Day expanded to honor all Veterans, changing the name here to Veterans Day.
Daniel, my Dad mentioned the same sadness yesterday (he's coping, though not so well, with watching a 4th generation of veterans coming home...since he grew up just after WW1, as I did after WW2). I too fear for these guys (and gals now). I mean no disrespect saying, in general, I don't see that they have had to build the coping skills/experience my Dad's generation could count on to get by (just as my generation had less too). I pray they find the support they need to really "come home".
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