Memorial Day and Armistice Day are widely observed in the USA. Small towns, big cities. Walls listing military war dead. Cemetery walks. Gun salutes. Flags flying. National anthems sung before each game. Many "red-white-and-blue" speeches. Allusions to "saving democracy" by war. Radios, TV and films flash in the themes. Families line the curbs and watch the uniforms pass by. The "patriotic" organizations are represented, though the "Vets for Peace" have sometimes been excluded. What is being celebrated? remembered? contemplated? analyzed?
Certainly, those who returned from war in bags or whose lives will be always handicapped by serious injuries, often lacking the promised adequate medical care, merit our genuine concern and aid. Some children now lack a parent; a marriage loses a spouse, sadly continues with an empty heart. Yet, every person in the world's variety should be recognized as precious! We, the dominant power, suffer much less than those overwhelmed with grief under very meagre circumstances and extensive destruction.
Are lives given or taken in warfare? Perhaps a few military recruits are "gung ho" to kill opponents; but, most wish to live and their lives are not given, but taken from them by the decisions of their nation's leaders! The few "terrorists" who do consciously give their lives are more personally courageous than their opponents in secret rooms pushing buttons to send drones to kill many more. Modern warfare enables those with high-tech equipment to kill more people from higher altitudes, with less feelings of personal responsibility. And tallies of casualties for our nation's warfare bring greater proportions of military deaths for those less educated or unable to find employment; and for Hispanics, Blacks, poorer whites from Southern states, and those from our "colonies" (e.g. Puerto Rico). Something to celebrate?
We now are seemingly involved in perpetual warfare. About half of the U.S. "discretionary" budget is allotted to war-related endeavors! Yet our leaders seem unable to find $$ to provide health care, fine education, energy needs, roads and other structural needs for our citizens. War aids virtually only weapon manufacturers, who benefit continually. War can be very profitable for some! Very few of our administrators have the courage to change our priorities.
We are the wealthiest nation, and cannot provide the essentials for our own people, due to the drainage of constant war and preparations for assumed conflicts. It's reported also that we have about 700 military bases in at least 130 countries. How many foreign military bases are there in our country, impinging on our sovereignty? (None that I know). With our bases placed around the world, conflicts anywhere are then deemed threats to our security! What about their security and freedom of action?
Perhaps we need to utilize our "Memorial Days" with the Canadian term of "Remembrance" and shift to build for future peace with nonviolence!
The monstrous casualties and extensive "collateral damages" across the world need to end. Let's have gatherings that focus on our world's future without war! The "demonstrations in the streets" can carry signs that stress the truth that "War is obsolete," causing more damages than can be gained. WAR IS OBSOLETE! Think of the world's children! END OUR IMPERIAL FOREIGN POLICIES! CLOSE THE 700 BASES! INVEST OUR RESOURCES!
