Excellent, Maura. My father was a World War II veteran and career officer in the Army's Medical Service Corps. He loved his country, and loved serving in the Army. He hated the ire that was directed at Vietnam veterans (while privately saying that war was a mistake) but lived long enough to be annoyed when the tide turned so far that everyone who put on a uniform was automatically called a hero. He never considered himself a hero - just someone who did his job.
One more thing - your mother looks absolutely beautiful!
Thank you, Bethe! Your father sounds like he was a great citizen and a good man. My mother was, indeed, lovely - of course, I look exactly like my father!
I think "the military" has been canonized because the experience of serving in it is now so uncommon. When the draft existed, most men served, and that was seen as normal. Now it's exotic, glamorized, and highly subject to manipulation by politicians and others who stand to gain. At the same time, the fact that it's isolated makes it easy to dismiss the real costs of war in lives and treasure
Sue, you are onto something. I also think that when someone in your family was or is in the military, it makes it more likely that others in the family will join. So my Mom was very positive about her Army service; my sister was an Army officer and my brother was in the Navy.
Well said, Maura! Imagine if we fed the hungry and provided healthcare and education instead of enriching the military industrial complex's ballooning budget. America's shift in priorities creates a soulless country. Now more than ever this anti-Vietnam PSA from 50 years ago applies. https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1FD96LD9Fu/
your mom was beautiful
Thank you! She was.
Her children are almost as pretty as she was.
Hah! NONE of us looked like her, sadly.
Excellent, Maura. My father was a World War II veteran and career officer in the Army's Medical Service Corps. He loved his country, and loved serving in the Army. He hated the ire that was directed at Vietnam veterans (while privately saying that war was a mistake) but lived long enough to be annoyed when the tide turned so far that everyone who put on a uniform was automatically called a hero. He never considered himself a hero - just someone who did his job.
One more thing - your mother looks absolutely beautiful!
Thank you, Bethe! Your father sounds like he was a great citizen and a good man. My mother was, indeed, lovely - of course, I look exactly like my father!
Amen, Maura, amen!
Thanks Maura for your insights and perspective.
I think "the military" has been canonized because the experience of serving in it is now so uncommon. When the draft existed, most men served, and that was seen as normal. Now it's exotic, glamorized, and highly subject to manipulation by politicians and others who stand to gain. At the same time, the fact that it's isolated makes it easy to dismiss the real costs of war in lives and treasure
Sue, you are onto something. I also think that when someone in your family was or is in the military, it makes it more likely that others in the family will join. So my Mom was very positive about her Army service; my sister was an Army officer and my brother was in the Navy.
Well said, Maura! Imagine if we fed the hungry and provided healthcare and education instead of enriching the military industrial complex's ballooning budget. America's shift in priorities creates a soulless country. Now more than ever this anti-Vietnam PSA from 50 years ago applies. https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1FD96LD9Fu/
Holy crap, what a powerful commercial!!!
I remember that commercial!
Agreed Maura.
All that you said is so true and unfortunately so infrequently recognized. Your piece is a great reminder. Excellent, as usual