Veterans--They Don't Question, They Just Go

Whatever the conflict, wherever the war, it is the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces who drop everything and go.

The professional military person may train for many years to see that day when “exercises” become instead, a “mission”. Voluntary and reserve personnel abandon their families, their jobs—their LIVES—to follows orders they may not agree with or even understand.

Behind every military action is a quagmire of politics. Decisions made by politicians who then step aside and send young people into harm’s way.

It is not the job of the soldier to question the decision. It is not their place to argue the merits of entering any country or within their authority to debate the pros and cons of any action ordered from above.

They just go.

Throughout history, corrupt politicians have shared the responsibility with honorable ones to change the course of history through force. Young men (and women more recently) have fought and died on foreign shores to protect freedom, be it their own or the rights of another people with whom they may share little in common.

But still they go.

The advancement of civilization should inevitably expose war as a no-win situation. Soldiers die, innocents are slaughtered—and the treasure of a nation is wasted on implements of death. Resources that could be diverted to humanitarian uses are instead squandered on missiles, guns, bombs and the tools of devastation.

At what point will we learn?

While it can be argued that the frequency of wars has decreased, the severity, the killing potential and capacity for mass destruction has never been higher. The only winners are the defense companies whose implements of war are sold (often to both sides).

And while we, the citizens of the United States can influence the duration of wars and perhaps aid in averting them, we too can fall victim to the righteous fervor that creates the conditions for war (as was the case in the wake of 9-11)

Our military?
They just go.

So, on this Veterans Day, let us honor those who served-and those who continue to.
And, let’s strive for the day when such service can be accomplished without wartime service being a part of it.

Check out this tribute video—featuring country star Toby Keith’s song “American Soldier”:





http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SK7QxWDZ1yo



To all our servicemen and women—and our veterans:

Thank you.



If you’d like my blog in your box, just drop me a line: tim.moore@citcomm.com