Monday, May 26, 2014

Memorial Day Reflections - How to Truly Honor the Fallen

Hampton National Cemetery - Hampton, Virginia

Memorial Day is a day set aside to honor those who gave their lives in the defense of this.  It is due and appropriate to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country.  Having nearly lost a son-in-law in Afghanistan, the day touches me even more than once was the case. Sadly, however, Memorial Day is also a day when craven, disingenuous politicians posture and pose claiming to honor the fallen and by extension our troops in uniform.   It is all a ruse, of course, because they very same politician - especially those on the Republican side of the isle, seem only too ready to throw away the lives of American service members on fools errands or situations which in the last analysis have no real bearing on America's vital interests.  

I invite everyone to make a vow to the fallen:  we will never again allow our national leaders to throw away lives on idiot conceived fool's errands like the Iraq War and the still ongoing disaster in Afghanistan.  And let's not forget the thousands who died in Vietnam on a similar fool's errand beginning a nearly a half century ago. If one truly honors the fallen and truly supports our troops, one does not squander their lives and bankrupt the nation in the process.   Better yet, demand accountability for those who threw away American lives and treasure.

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