I make no secret of the fact that I’m a pacifist wholly against the war in Iraq. Like Dwight D. Eisenhower, I believe that “Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired dignifies in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed.” I mourn the significant loss of life and national treasury spilled on that (or any) battlefield.
Still, I celebrate Veterans Day. For me, it’s an opportunity to set aside my personal feelings about war and to honor our nation’s warriors, past and present. Today, I salute America’s approximately 24 million military veterans for their service to our country and give homage to those who made the ultimate sacrifice. And in their honor, I pray for a quick resolution to this current conflict, so that we can bring our troops home, out of harm’s way. Peace: Is there any better tribute to our brave soldiers than this?
By the way, if you’re concerned about the fact that our troops are fighting a war without benefit of basic supplies (you know, like adequate toilet paper, sunscreen, chapstick, or sometimes even cheery letters from home), you can send a care package or card to one or several soldiers through the AnySoldier program or Operation Homefront.
My sentiments exactly. Thanks for putting it so well.
Lovely quote from Dwight D. Thank you for sharing it. I ponder our veterans through the ages on a day like today, an act that I hope will place some gratitude in my heart for my blessings, the price of which some of them paid for with their lives.
Yes it is sad that we have to have the weapons of war but there are those that would destroy us if we didn’t have them. To those that have given their lives so that we are free, I salute them. Those that survived the terrible wars, I thank you.
I agree with your post. I both loath war, and honor our vets.
And by-the-way… Toay is the 12th.
Oh wow, how beautiful — and even more lovely are the sentiments behind them. Thank you so much, Kelsey!
Hugs!!!
Right on!