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Our Party BlogHave your say about all things democraticMay 26, 2008MEMORIAL DAY: REMEMBRANCE & PURPOSE
I asked friends what Memorial Day meant to them. I received different responses of kind remembrances. But one theme was similar: All of them were sour about war and its supposed glory. All of them expressed concern about America's role in the world today. All wondered about our real purpose for sacrificing the lives of men and women.One Vietnam War veteran told me that Memorial Day should be "honored on the day it is supposed to be," that Memorial Day "was proclaimed a day to honor all veterans and not as it now is as just another day off or for the convenience of businesses and even worse as an extended weekend." He went on to criticize Republicans who are "in lockstep with Bush and bandy about like children, not the mature people they should be." Another Vietnam War veteran said that Memorial Day is an unfortunate reminder for him of a war that America chose to forget. He would rather not remember it himself and will never step foot in Washington D.C. to see the Vietnam War Memorial. The wife of a World War II veteran said that her husband "served his country at a time of great peril and survived." She explained that he "joined the Navy after he graduated from high school, and was a radioman aboard a destroyer escort in the Pacific Theater in WWII. (He had three older brothers who served during WWII. I can't imagine his mother having four sons serving in combat zones at the same time. We need to give her a lot of credit, too.) Although the war ended while he was aboard ship in the Panama Canal headed for the Pacific, he was allowed to go ashore in Nagasaki just 30 days after the atomic bomb was dropped. This sight of devastation and ruin left a lasting mark on him." Then she recalled their son serving in Vietnam: "Our son served on a submarine during the Vietnam War. He always supported the troops, but he never supported going to war. I hope to be at the memorial service on Monday at the National Cemetery, as he is resting there. I will be thinking of him this weekend; he often attended the memorial service when he could." Another said that since World War II, the American warpath has led to fighting against our founding principles but for our special interests. He adds, "America at the present time does not have the wisdom to realize that it goes against the very principles of freedom that gave it birth." While the remembrance of warriors fallen is rooted in our admiration of their sacrifice, obviously our decision to send brave soldiers into new battles must have better purposes than our current war in Iraq has had. Otherwise we will sacrifice generation after generation for false reasons. Post a Reply... Most Recent Posts: 08/16: Senator Andy Berke Asks, "Are Kids Ready to Learn?" 08/12: Join us today for JFK Club & Greater Chattanooga Democratic Women's Club 08/08: Thanks to Democrats for Helping on Election Day 08/07: Vote Today, Then Join us for Election Results at IBEW Union Hall tonight 08/06: OFFICIAL DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE TO TIMES FREE PRESS ENDORSEMENTS FOR SHERIFF 08/06: Get Out the Vote Thursday for Andy Berke, JoAnne Favors, Tommie Brown, and Greg Beck 08/04: Radio Ads reflect candidate with high negatives 08/01: Listen to the "Greg Beck for Sheriff" Radio Ads 08/01: Join Greg Beck for a GOTV Rally & BBQ Tomorrow 07/31: Today's Times Free Press: Hammond continues to show poor ethical judgment in Lonnie Hood Case 07/31: Meet U.S. Senate Candidate Mike Padgett at Party Headquarters on Aug.1 07/29: HEAR TWO NEW RADIO ADS on Jim Hammond: Flip-Flop Jim & Cadillac Jim 07/28: Three RETIRED LAW ENFORCEMENT LEADERS ENDORSE BECK FOR SHERIFF 07/25: COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE TO BECK EVENT WITH MARILYN LLOYD 07/25: GERMANS LOVE OBAMA; CHATTANOOGANS LOVE VOLKSWAGEN~GREAT YEAR FOR DEMOCRATS! 07/24: Restore Integrity in Sheriff's Department~Elect Greg Beck 07/18: EARLY VOTING BEGINS TODAY! 07/17: ANNIE HALL and Dr. Brent Staton named to direct "Padgett for U.S. Senate" Campaign in Chattanooga 07/16: Corruption & Poor Judgment: Hammond insists on Keeping Corrupt Cop 07/15: Support Greg Beck this week for canvassing and early vote |
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