In 1935 Smedley Butler (USMC, Maj Gen-Retired) published 'War is a Racket'. A racket "in which the profits are reckoned in dollars and the losses in lives." I start today's Veterans Day message in such a manner because all of the flag waiving that occurs today does not get one more veteran off the streets at night into a bed nor does it provide a means for them and their families to be eat their future meals in peace around their own table with food from their own kitchens.
The patriotism and thanks given today does not restore the limbs, the hearing, the sight, or the mental constitution our Veterans had before they were shipped off to foreign wars with dubious and clandestine beginnings. The accolades heaped on Veterans today does not decrease the delay in treatment or speed the processing disability compensation claims.
I am not suggesting that we should dismantle the Marines, the Navy, the Army, or Air Force in order to stop going to war. Whether there is such a thing as a just war is a question for philosophers and I'm well aware that we cannot sit idly by while there is injustice. I know of many who proudly answered or adopted a call they heard ringing clearly to them. But this Country's Founders knew the dangers of keeping a professional military service and we have long suspected that our political class has mis-used our military at the outset and then used them again as veterans for political gain when we returned home.
I am suggesting that in order to be a Great Society and a model example of a Great Republic that a parade, while honorable, is recognition, but it is not recompense. I am suggesting that the single greatest thing that can be done this Veterans Day to honor Veterans is to actively seek out how to make fewer of them in the future. Allow us a Victory that aims to make Peace on all sides its objective and not just peace through fear. Lastly, we cannot have peace if those that have "borne the battle" and their families must worry over their next meal, their next night's rest, their next day's struggle, and their next paycheck.
With respect and remembrance,
Devin Kibler, USMC, GySgt-Retired.