Today is a day we set aside to honor Veterans and we certainly should.
They risked everything for this country, and many have long term issues because of it.
We have seen a change in attitudes to veterans over the years.
The Vietnam era was probably the low point as sometimes Veterans were blamed for things that happened during that war.
We now have returned to honoring Veterans for their service.
In many ways they represent the best of us and we should recognize that and make sure they are given the services they need.
Showing posts with label veterans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label veterans. Show all posts
Monday, November 11, 2019
Friday, May 24, 2019
Memorial Day
This is Memorial Day weekend and its a good time to remember all those who made the ultimate sacrifice for this nation.
Not all of those who died always believed in the war they fought in, particularly in the Vietnam War, but they all answered their countries call to serve and fulfilled their ultimate obligation as a citizen.
We now have an all volunteer force and that might have its advantages but it also has some disadvantages, as it moves us closer to having an Army that isn't representative of us as a nation.
In many ways having a draft lottery applied to all for a certain portion of the military will engage the public, at least the more successful parts of the public in its issues and concerns.
Of course some people always found ways to avoid serving, even when there was a draft, i.e. our draft dodger commander in chief.
None of this takes away from the honor we should hold those who died for our country.
They served, they risked everything and they paid the ultimate price.
Take some time to remember them this weekend.
Not all of those who died always believed in the war they fought in, particularly in the Vietnam War, but they all answered their countries call to serve and fulfilled their ultimate obligation as a citizen.
We now have an all volunteer force and that might have its advantages but it also has some disadvantages, as it moves us closer to having an Army that isn't representative of us as a nation.
In many ways having a draft lottery applied to all for a certain portion of the military will engage the public, at least the more successful parts of the public in its issues and concerns.
Of course some people always found ways to avoid serving, even when there was a draft, i.e. our draft dodger commander in chief.
None of this takes away from the honor we should hold those who died for our country.
They served, they risked everything and they paid the ultimate price.
Take some time to remember them this weekend.
Sunday, November 11, 2018
The Great War
It seems odd to think that World War 1 or the Great War ended 100 years ago. It always seemed to be more distant than it actually was to me. probably because the second World War was so much closer.
I don't remember knowing any veterans of the first one, although it seems inevitable that I must have met at least one. Of course I did meet lots of veterans from all the subsequent wars.
The Great War was certainly not great for anyone and it introduced horrors we still worry about today, such as poison gas, tanks, air wars.
We can romanticize some of this, especially the air war parts, but we shouldn't forget they resulted in people dying.
The war was long and bitter and the American part in it was bad enough, but of course the Europeans saw a generation get decimated.
The world that emerged after that war was very different from the one that entered it, with Imperial empires gone in most of Europe and the concept of war as glorious pretty much destroyed.
Unfortunately the peace only lasted long enough for the next generation to go through their own hell 20 years later.
We honor our veterans today and that is something we should do. We honor our war dead on Memorial day so this is a day to commemorate those who survived.
It is of course also the 100th anniversary of the end of the Great War, so that needs to be commemorated.
The war was so horrible and fought so bravely that it should be commemorated.
It was a significant event that changed the world.
However the peace didn't last and we had a more horrible one too soon after it.
I don't remember knowing any veterans of the first one, although it seems inevitable that I must have met at least one. Of course I did meet lots of veterans from all the subsequent wars.
The Great War was certainly not great for anyone and it introduced horrors we still worry about today, such as poison gas, tanks, air wars.
We can romanticize some of this, especially the air war parts, but we shouldn't forget they resulted in people dying.
The war was long and bitter and the American part in it was bad enough, but of course the Europeans saw a generation get decimated.
The world that emerged after that war was very different from the one that entered it, with Imperial empires gone in most of Europe and the concept of war as glorious pretty much destroyed.
Unfortunately the peace only lasted long enough for the next generation to go through their own hell 20 years later.
We honor our veterans today and that is something we should do. We honor our war dead on Memorial day so this is a day to commemorate those who survived.
It is of course also the 100th anniversary of the end of the Great War, so that needs to be commemorated.
The war was so horrible and fought so bravely that it should be commemorated.
It was a significant event that changed the world.
However the peace didn't last and we had a more horrible one too soon after it.
Sunday, May 27, 2018
Memorial Day
On Memorial day we honor those who served and didn't return.
No greater sacrifice can be made in defense of freedom and our way of life.
It was not the intention of these men and women to give their lives, as General Patton remarked the goal was to get the other poor bastard die for his country. Still you don't serve without knowing the risks.
There is a lot of talk about how to demonstrate patriotism or showing respect for our country.
We live in a country that allows each of us the right to say what we want and to enjoy the freedoms these men and women died for.
We don't live in a country where everyone has to shout the same slogans or observe the same rituals.
We fought those countries which promoted nationalism over justice and blind compliance over diversity of thought.
Men and women serve for many different reasons now but in World War 2 it was pretty clear what we were fighting for and who we were fighting against.
Not many joined up with the hope of learning a skill, or getting post service benefits.
They fought to defend freedom and this country from tyranny.
Lets not start taking away the freedoms they gave their all for.
Honor them by fulfilling the promise of America.
All men are created equal with certain inalienable rights, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness!
No greater sacrifice can be made in defense of freedom and our way of life.
It was not the intention of these men and women to give their lives, as General Patton remarked the goal was to get the other poor bastard die for his country. Still you don't serve without knowing the risks.
There is a lot of talk about how to demonstrate patriotism or showing respect for our country.
We live in a country that allows each of us the right to say what we want and to enjoy the freedoms these men and women died for.
We don't live in a country where everyone has to shout the same slogans or observe the same rituals.
We fought those countries which promoted nationalism over justice and blind compliance over diversity of thought.
Men and women serve for many different reasons now but in World War 2 it was pretty clear what we were fighting for and who we were fighting against.
Not many joined up with the hope of learning a skill, or getting post service benefits.
They fought to defend freedom and this country from tyranny.
Lets not start taking away the freedoms they gave their all for.
Honor them by fulfilling the promise of America.
All men are created equal with certain inalienable rights, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness!
Saturday, November 11, 2017
Veterans Day
I wonder how the fates arranged for the dotard to be in Vietnam on Veteran's day? He was avoiding that place like the plague at one point in his life.
Seems like our recent deserter may get back pay for the time he was in captivity after walking away from his post.
Bergdahl back pay
Guess if we are making draft dodgers president this is about right.
I always thought desertion was a pretty serious thing, although the whole thing with Bergdahl seems psychotic to me. Still back pay seems a bit much.
I saw "Thank You for your Service" and it is certainly worth seeing. The way they depict the VA doesn't match my experience with the organization, so I think being a movie you need to realize its not a documentary. Still good viewing.
I was looking at my DD214 since I need to show it to get today's discounts and noticed how it clearly displays my SSN as well as my service number. Guess I should cover it, but those were simpler days.
A lot of that is due to the Internet and how so much is done without actual contact. Now we have people who can fight remotely using drones.
My main wish as a veteran would be that all current veterans be happy and healthy and that in the future we have fewer and fewer of us as we resolve ongoing conflicts.
Seems like our recent deserter may get back pay for the time he was in captivity after walking away from his post.
Bergdahl back pay
Guess if we are making draft dodgers president this is about right.
I always thought desertion was a pretty serious thing, although the whole thing with Bergdahl seems psychotic to me. Still back pay seems a bit much.
I saw "Thank You for your Service" and it is certainly worth seeing. The way they depict the VA doesn't match my experience with the organization, so I think being a movie you need to realize its not a documentary. Still good viewing.
I was looking at my DD214 since I need to show it to get today's discounts and noticed how it clearly displays my SSN as well as my service number. Guess I should cover it, but those were simpler days.
A lot of that is due to the Internet and how so much is done without actual contact. Now we have people who can fight remotely using drones.
My main wish as a veteran would be that all current veterans be happy and healthy and that in the future we have fewer and fewer of us as we resolve ongoing conflicts.
Wednesday, April 19, 2017
More Random Things
So the fleet that Trump said was going to intimidate Korea went to the Indian Ocean, guess geography is more complicated than he thought too.
We have a Civilian Commander in Chief primarily because the normal first reaction of a military person would of course be the military option. Using diplomacy saves lives, on both sides.
Trump thinks he is being criticized unfairly, he should read his own tweets for the last 8 years.
I keep reading how Trump is disappointing his supporters, either by doing what he actually said or not doing what he actually said. Of course he promised things he couldn't possibly do so if you believed him you got what you deserved.
They can add having polluted fishing streams and air to not having a job.
We live in a world where people think they can challenge science based on how they feel about things. You can't.
If yo don't believe in evolution or climate change, you are exactly the same as people who believe the Earth is flat.
People who question the usefulness of vaccines aren't much better. While everything has potential side effects, the vaccines have reduced or eliminated deadly diseases. It really is a public health matter.
People who protest common core were the same people who questioned the education the schools provide, so how do they get better without standards?
Education of our young people is essential to the future of this country. Lets make sure it is effective.
Before we risk more young people in wars that aren't essential, remember everyone who died lost all future potential while we end up with a President who shirked his duty.
Since we went all volunteer, the people who serve in the Military are much less likely to become members of Congress. The trend is very clear.
The most recent data from the 2010 Census shows that only seven percent of Americans have served in the military, while veterans make up 20 percent of the current Congress. In 1971, 73 percent of members of Congress were veterans, but veterans made up fewer than 15 percent of the American population.
We have a Civilian Commander in Chief primarily because the normal first reaction of a military person would of course be the military option. Using diplomacy saves lives, on both sides.
Trump thinks he is being criticized unfairly, he should read his own tweets for the last 8 years.
I keep reading how Trump is disappointing his supporters, either by doing what he actually said or not doing what he actually said. Of course he promised things he couldn't possibly do so if you believed him you got what you deserved.
They can add having polluted fishing streams and air to not having a job.
We live in a world where people think they can challenge science based on how they feel about things. You can't.
If yo don't believe in evolution or climate change, you are exactly the same as people who believe the Earth is flat.
People who question the usefulness of vaccines aren't much better. While everything has potential side effects, the vaccines have reduced or eliminated deadly diseases. It really is a public health matter.
People who protest common core were the same people who questioned the education the schools provide, so how do they get better without standards?
Education of our young people is essential to the future of this country. Lets make sure it is effective.
Before we risk more young people in wars that aren't essential, remember everyone who died lost all future potential while we end up with a President who shirked his duty.
Since we went all volunteer, the people who serve in the Military are much less likely to become members of Congress. The trend is very clear.
The most recent data from the 2010 Census shows that only seven percent of Americans have served in the military, while veterans make up 20 percent of the current Congress. In 1971, 73 percent of members of Congress were veterans, but veterans made up fewer than 15 percent of the American population.
Friday, November 11, 2016
Veterans Day
Today we honor our veterans on the anniversary of the armistice that ended the first world war, or as it was called at the time the Great War.
Of course time takes its toll and our oldest combat era veterans are from WW2 and Korea followed by out Vietnam Era Vets.
It was because of Vietnam that we went to an all volunteer army.
Since then we have in effect a military that while more professional, costs more and reflects a less diverse slice of America.
We still make people register for the draft but generally its not considered likely by most.
There has long been a discussion about whether service to the country should be universal.
The argument in favor has basically been that it would give everyone a real stake in how we use our military and create a military reflective of our total country. Of course after any initial period, those who stay would form our permanent volunteer military and the others would return to civilian life.
The argument against is simply that people shouldn't be required to serve if they don't want to except possibly in time of war and that some object on religious or other grounds.
I tend to think requiring service is the better option, but there should be an option that allows for non-combat service.
For one thing, in the military you get to actually interact with people that you likely never would normally, leading to a better understanding of the humanity we all share.
Second, it equals an investment in the success of our country that will carry forward in their subsequent lives as citizens.
Third, it would be a way to justify funding educational benefits or technical training for more.
However, I realize that its unlikely and in all honesty not sure we would be prepared to handle the numbers that would result.
Anyway, Happy Veterans Day to my fellow veterans!
Of course time takes its toll and our oldest combat era veterans are from WW2 and Korea followed by out Vietnam Era Vets.
It was because of Vietnam that we went to an all volunteer army.
Since then we have in effect a military that while more professional, costs more and reflects a less diverse slice of America.
We still make people register for the draft but generally its not considered likely by most.
There has long been a discussion about whether service to the country should be universal.
The argument in favor has basically been that it would give everyone a real stake in how we use our military and create a military reflective of our total country. Of course after any initial period, those who stay would form our permanent volunteer military and the others would return to civilian life.
The argument against is simply that people shouldn't be required to serve if they don't want to except possibly in time of war and that some object on religious or other grounds.
I tend to think requiring service is the better option, but there should be an option that allows for non-combat service.
For one thing, in the military you get to actually interact with people that you likely never would normally, leading to a better understanding of the humanity we all share.
Second, it equals an investment in the success of our country that will carry forward in their subsequent lives as citizens.
Third, it would be a way to justify funding educational benefits or technical training for more.
However, I realize that its unlikely and in all honesty not sure we would be prepared to handle the numbers that would result.
Anyway, Happy Veterans Day to my fellow veterans!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)