federal employees have the day off.
There is a massive event that will disrupt DC area traffic tonight - the Concert for Valor.
I am likely to get a free coffee at my local Starbucks on my way to work as I did yesterday for being a Marine.
Today is a day where ostensibly we honor those who have served, even if many if us never were anywhere near a combat theater.
Two things occur to me.
First, if we truly honor veterans we would fully fund their care before we put them in harm's way.
Second, we should be moving in the direction of producing FEWER veterans, especially combat veterans, most especially disabled veterans. We still waste lives and bodies in endeavors that are not necessary for the security of this nation.
I had to say that.
Because it is true.
But don't put that on the individual veteran. Regardless of his or her (and there are increasing numbers of female veterans, including of combat experience) reasons for having joined, regardless if if s/he enlisted as did I or was drafted as were many until most of the way through Vietnam, s/he served. We all surrendered some of our civil liberties while we wore the uniform in order that the civil liberties of the rest could be maintained. That, and military discipline, were the reasons we were given.
We may have been enriched by the experience - not monetarily but in our understanding of other cultures if we served overseas, of other Americans among those with whom we served from different ethnicities and geographic settings, or in my case by my own self-understanding of both my strengths and weaknesses as a human being.
Honor veterans today.
Yes, thank us for our service.
But also do this - commit to the notion that we will NEVER waste the service of those who serve on our behalf.
Thank you.
And Peace.