I would like to see a day when we don’t feel the need to honor our military veterans but would celebrate peace instead. True, our veterans would have had a hand in securing that peace, but if we did truly have peace, there would be no need for military levels as we currently have them. I know this is a Pollyanna wish, but we all can dream just a little from time to time.
Think of it: No one would mourn for a loved one who had been killed in war. No one would be sorrowful over a loved one who was deployed to a war zone. No country or faction would be fighting another over whatever issue they both disagree on. We would have peace. Just as war is a double-edged sword, so is peace. They say it takes two to fight but it also takes two to have peace.
There’s Hamas and the Israelis, there’s the Catholics and the Protestants, the Hatfields and the McCoys and on and on it goes. If there are two fighting it will always draw more into the battle regardless of where the fight takes place. I have never seen figures on the amount of money that is wasted on wars in any form. Wars are costly and the human turmoil involved can not be judged in terms of money. However, the long term effects certainly can be seen in the future actions of the entire populace. The hurt never disappears; even though it might subside, it never disappears. The real tragedy is the kids who are living in a war zone. You can see the turmoil in their eyes. The sadness they exhibit tears your heart strings.
I think most veterans appreciate the acclaim they receive from our people on days like Veterans Day. But quite honestly, I think most of them would rather have a quiet period of solitude in a beautiful glen by themselves to be able to reflect upon everything they have experienced and somehow survived without all the hoopla that goes on today.
Our nation’s capital has many statues scattered around the city. Most are predicated on war and destruction. We pride ourselves on being a peace-loving nation but we seem to find ourselves at war more than at peace most of the time. Thankfully, these wars are fought on foreign shores, but they still bring a degree of disruption to our people that we unfortunately endure throughout the conflict.
Often we are provoked into having to go to war for one reason or another, but whatever the reason, our veterans, both men and women, step up to the fray to protect our great land and its people and for that, I think we are all grateful in our own way.
As long as we have veterans, we should always show them respect for their efforts and sacrifices. We should also show the same respect to their families as they too have suffered for all the turmoil in terms of worry for their family members who are or have served in the military.
Larry Wilson is a 50-year resident of Sparks and a retired elementary school teacher. You can contact him at lawilson16@aol.com.
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