Memorial Day

In memory of those who served and lost their lives. I honor your service and sacrifice – it is beyond anything my thanks is worthy of – but you have it.

I do this in many cases, without honoring the root cause of your death. You did not die, ultimately, because of your bravery and valor. Your sacrifices included saving the lives of your friends. But this was not the cause. Your service, and ultimately life, was likely called into need because of war.

War is not a noble thing. There are no just wars, only intractable positions. Yes, some end up being necessary. WWII is the example I will always use. Stopping the Nazi machine was one of the most important things to ever happen.

The world needed the US in the conflict. It was a battle of good an evil. Many wars before and since have turned out to be for gain – for land, oil and other reasons which hold no justification for the violence that ensued. WWII was a war against Genocide and the potential slavery of the planet. So it was necessary. But even then, War is not noble.

But volunteering to put one’s life on the line in the service of others – in serving and protecting during peacetime and wartime is noble. For those that lost their life in the service of our country, I thank you for your sacrifice and I honor your memory. I am sorry that decisions were made that ended up requiring that sacrifice. I promise to never vote intentionally for those who would squander that sacrifice for gain, for show. It is too great a cost to bear even when the cause is honorable, let alone, when it is war.