I saw the footage from Vietnam, streaming in to my home when I was a child. There were no parades, no cheering crowds - there were lots of people who could not walk on their own, being helped to safety by others willing to take the added weight and increase their own risk.
If the television networks would have covered all the wars, from the Revolutionary war to the war to end racism, sexism, ageism, and preserve the virtues that will ultimately make our society healthy - we would see that same scene. Many wounded people with others helping them move towards healing.
I once asked a question in the Fubar mumm forum. It had nothing to do with a lack of supporting the military troops (which I do, because they are my people, and I support my family in all sorts of ways) - it was a question regarding WHO REALLY SUPPORTS WAR. After much bashing and explaining I finally got a rational response from somebody who understood my point.
War is a terrible thing. The reasons we go to war may be well worth the price paid. I am not sure. I think we can find a better way to come to agreements with others. Perhaps in time, and with enough thinking we will. Until then I am proud to be an American - with all our many diversities and freedoms.
We in America are called Melting Pots. I have seen the rainbows, and though there is a point when each unique and beautiful color slides next to another, they are all allowed to shine uniquely. A gray rainbow, a truly melted pot of color (I have experimented with scoops of ice cream of various hues all spun together) is not so glorious to see as the individual beauty of each color standing side by side to form an arc de triomphe - an American Rainbow.
I believe that we are all in the national guard. Evey single one of us is powerful and has the potential to create a support structure for the values and principles we hold so close to our heart, that shape the decisions made by lawmakers, that ultimately impact the future of our nation. So just think about that. Our diversity of cultures allows us to harvest the strengths of many nations. Differences are not something to be eliminated, they are to be celebrated.
My cornupcopia is full. I owe that phenomenon to some dissatisfied peoples from lands across the ocean that sought refuge where they could be free. I owe that to the Native Americans who reached their hands out to help the newcomers. I owe that to the people who were kidnapped from their homelands but brought a new kind of strength to their new home. I owe that to all the people that freely arrived upon the shores of America with a dream and the daring to achieve it - or survive it. All these peoples have fought in wars to maintain my horn of plenty.
I fight for you, too.
Thank you - Veterans. Ya dun good.
