Veteran’s Day
I’ve seen some people post “Happy Veteran’s Day.” I’m not a veteran. Technically, my dad was, although he was a naval officer who did his service in the Canal Zone, nowhere close to combat. I never saw him happy on Veteran’s Day.
I was never in the military, although I did carry a draft card during the Vietnam War. My number was assigned, but the draft ended before I could be called in for a physical. I do know a few who went to Vietnam and lived to tell. I’ve been to the memorial to those who didn’t live to tell.
The best way to honor Veteran’s Day, in my opinion, is to commit to avoiding war whenever possible. I’m currently halfway through reading “The Sleepwalkers: How Europe Went to War in 1914” by Christopher Clark. I’ve read several books about WWI, but this focuses on how the European powers at the time perceived the situation, and how an assassination in Bosnia could have touched off a world-wide conflagration. It’s complicated, of course, but one thread that runs through the history is the volatile combination of hubris, tribalism and intoxication with military solutions.
I fear that with the rise of autocracy and fascism in the world, we are sleepwalking into another, albeit shorter and far more deadly, world war. Already, the unprovoked Russian invasion of Ukraine, the largest war since WWII, has been underway for over two years, and when Trump succeeds Biden, Putin will feel free to use nuclear weapons to “win.” Then, he will menace the Baltics, Poland and Finland.
It has been said of the Balkans that they have always produced more history than could be consumed locally, but the same could be said of the Levant, where Israel, the sole nuclear power on the ground, is threatening war with Iran. Netanyahu understands that the only thing keeping him in office and out of prison is the pursuit of violence in Gaza and the West Bank. Now, Trump will continue to support Israel even if it detonates a nuclear weapon over Iran. The march of folly continues, leaving its wake death and dismemberment. Don’t think it can’t happen again; la madre dei cretini è sempre incinta.
You honor Veterans Day when you say “enough. They showed us what happens, and we learned the lesson.”
“Ah young Willie McBride, I can’t help wonder why
Do those that lie here know why did they die?
And did they believe when they answered the call
Did they really believe that this war would end wars?
“Well, the sorrow, the suffering, the glory, the pain
The killing and dying, it all done in vain
For young Willie McBride, it all happened again
And again, and again, and again, and again
“Did they beat the drum slowly, did they play the fife lowly?
Did they sound the departure as they lowered you down?
Did the band play, “The Last Post” in chorus?
Did the pipes play, “The Flowers of the Forest”?”
No Man’s Land
The men who raised me were all WW II veterans.
It is long time since US fought a military action worthy of the veteran’s sacrifice paid.
When someone I know says “thank you for your service” I respond “you are welcome”. Once in a while they will ask about my branch, I say Air Force and that I stayed and it was mostly good.
My carrier was in logistics, and programs.
I entered service as Vietnam ended.
@paddy,
“It is long time since US fought a military action worthy of the veteran’s sacrifice paid.”
D’accord.
If it makes you feel better or good thanking someone for their service, I will give you the names of three people to thank.
Thank Tim Gilson, a guy I met in boot camp who went to military school and helped me adapt to Marine Boot Camp by teaching me the various drills. He was head shot up north in Vietnam. The place eludes me now and it does not matter where. He is lost to those who care and myself as a friend.
Thank Paul Placzek who I grew up with in Boy Scouts, He was as light-haired blonde as I was dark haired black as I. Two opposites. We went through Boy Scouts together and had fun camping and later talking about girls as we grew up. We went our ways at 18 and 19. He went Airbourne and I went into the Corps. They said he died of fragmentation impact. He stepped on or tripped a boobie -trap. I remember seeing his dad raging on TV about the draft-dodgers in 68. I never saw his dad again as I was afraid he would ask me why his son and not me. I could not quench that anger with my presence.
Bobby O’Million’s family lived above us in a three flat on Chicago’s north side a short CTA bus ride to Riverview Park. We were friends and we would play together. They later moved to Highland Park. I would visit on weekends or he would visit us. He enlisted in the Army one year before I did in the Corps. It was said he, his SFC and four others were killed in a head-on crash with a drunk while returning from a deer hunting trip one weekend.
All my ability with an M14 to hold black at 500 yards and a pie plate at 300 yards rapid fire could not save them from the silly war politicians sent us to fight. If you must thank someone, thank them as I am still here quietly thinking about them. Maybe a beer later on.
Peace . . .
Few days go when I don’t think of Paul and Bill both were lost in Vietnam.
Same patrol in Scouts.
Some of us felt the “democratizing” effect of service during times of the draft. We were thrown together with all sorts of people we were otherwise unlikely to encounter, work, and live with. The Vietnam War was awful and the draft was resented. Ironically, serving was largely good for the majority of people who did and were uninjured.
@Jack,
I’ve certainly heard that. Glad it worked for you. I went to the only high school, public or private, in my city. Between that and working at a gas station and as a cook at a pizza joint, I had my fill of that sort of “democratizing.” At least nobody was trying to get me killed. I’m happy to yield my spot to others who will better appreciate the benefits.
I found a home in the an Air Force. It does not work out for everyone, but it does mature a person.
@paddy,
There was a bombing at my high school in 1972. Nobody was injured (it was on a weekend), but there was significant damage to the administrative wing. The students who were responsible were tried and given the choice of prison or the military. The ones I know about chose the military. Don’t know if they were matured by it, but they were certainly older when they got out. And they were veterans.
Ran into one at a high school reunion. He had been stationed in Germany. He seemed like a decent person. I didn’t know him back in the day (there were 530 in my graduating class, even without him).
Was it all in vain?
Seems ironic that on this Veterans Day, when I think of my two fathers (biological & adopted) who both served actively in WWII in the South Pacific, that i’m asking myself, was it all in vain?
Those many years ago, the country, somewhat reluctantly, fought to soundly defeat a fascist Nazi takeover in Europe. Perhaps had we not entered that war, the takeover would have succeeded and eventually bled into the U.S. where the seeds had already been planted.
Now, almost 80 years later, the American government. willingly elected in a free & fair election (nonviolent war), a fascist Nazi to lead these United States and have given him unprecedented control over every branch of government.
That war, those many years ago, which we won with massive blood and treasure investment, bought us 80 years of democracy without the disruption of fascist involvement in our U.S. government.
Had we not entered that war so long ago, and faced the possible fascist takeover at that time, we would have had these 80 years to figure out how to respond and regain our democratic roots.
Now we must begin anew…
@McJ,
Indeed. Only this time round, key players possess thermonuclear warheads. The consequences of miscalculation are infinitely worse. We’re all basically still overclocked apes.