Joe ~ May 26

 

Memorial Day

 

Taking a deep dive into our nation’s involvement in wars and why we fought those battles always intrigues me. My historical education was lacking and left me with a watered down sense of the complexities that surrounded our involvement in conflicts that took so much life and caused so much destruction. When faced with the decision to fight for our country or be deemed a coward or worse is by far too simplistic to sum up in words. Yet, our leaders, sum up great catch phrases and political manipulation in their twenty second sound bites meant to assuage the masses. And when those masses are watching their chosen media outlet for their information those outlets are analyzing every bit of research to keep these thirsty people in their stadium of thought. As a nation, why do we do the actions we do that effect the world as a whole. I believe that if we, the People actually knew what was happening behind the seemingly status quo we really could not digest the power of our capitalistic nation and the needs we have become so accustomed to. I really don’t like to think about what I would sacrifice to make this world more fair and equal. Tough choices, indeed!!! On this Memorial Day I ponder our great Civil War; Slavery, states rights, the majority of our wealth and trade founded on forced labor which was sanctioned by a good deal of our founding fathers. Coal mining, owing your soul to the company store. The Rockefellers, the Vanderbilts, the Carnegies and many more, were they good upstanding businessmen who were for the good of the people? I encourage you to read about them and decide for yourself. So many average men called to be soldiers to fight against their fellow countrymen with the only belief being, it was their duty. World War I was said to be the war to end all wars….but it spawned World War II and disrupted global politics ever since…cold war or not we are seeing it happen in the present time in The Ukraine, Sudan, Gaza and Israel, Yemen and the many other countries that back these violent conflicts with their aid to provide arms and the means to continue their ongoing hostile encounters. So, it saddens me to visit the cemetery and see the memorials and flags adorning so many graves. Did these patriots know the whys and wherefores of their service or was it just a …ours is not to reason why….ours is but to do or die….As a civilization the desensitization has lead us to see violence and butchery as a form of entertainment that calms our minds a bit because Hollywood will make it right in the end. 

Today, the cemeterys are quaffed with bight trimmed lawns and the stones are adorned with flower logs and the flags are flying with all the pseudo glory that can be purchased at the local garden shop. Our history, it’s really a grab bag of wonder and shame, and impregnated among the dark deeds that form the tapestry of this nation are hopefully more supporting threads of hope and pride which the people have sacrificed and died to preserve. Thank You for Your Service.