Memorial Day 2008

For my Father, who never heard me say these things.

I'm going to keep this short and simple:

When younger, I was opposed to War because it was not Peace. That's how simple it was in my younger brain. When I encountered a thought hinting it was more complex - one that could challenge my shallow, slogan-laden philosophies - I would dodge it with intrinsically weak and defensive (and, to be fair, hopeful) comebacks. It worked (for me), but only for awhile.

The FACT is, if people before me hadn't been willing to face the horrors of defending their present and my future, this moment of freedom would not be available to us. THIS moment right HERE. NOW.

Today is NOT the day to debate WHICH wars were more and less righteous. Today IS about the people who took orders, fought, were maimed & killed, were left with a lifetime of nightmares & disabilities, and who gave their All..... who I respect and honor for their efforts.