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Amen
Agreed.
Ditto.
Good, now that we’ve done our amens, can we get Obama and Shinseki and others to get off their asses and actually do something for the vets who suffer the interminable waits at the various VA hospitals. Frankly, when I read of this mistreatment, it makes my blood boil.
Agreed, but the whole country is headed in that direction, not away from it.
When the VA hides their problems because the top-level administrators don’t want to admit their understaffed and overworked that isn’t a problem for the president. That’s a problem for Congress to budget them more funds to take care of our vets. They had a long taper until the Iraq/Afghan wars sent tons of new vets into their care. But nobody wants to spend the money after they’ve done their duty it seems.
An excellent point about inadequate funding. Indeed. But why can’t the various administrations “admit” it, as you term it? What good is a bully pulpit, if not for this? I’m a liberal in most things, but this transcends ideology. You send a person into harms way, you take care of him if he makes it back. Period. Frankly, I’m really tired of all the phony patriotism and pontificating.
Top level administrators regardless of government or private sector do not want to look bad. We’re told to make do with less. Find ways to be ‘creative’ when sometimes dollars to donuts, more dollars equal more service. This is anathema in the atmosphere of our modern system.
I don’t even want to go further, but right now a private makes slightly more than minimum wage, even with combat pay they struggle to make median income. We talk a good game but most of our military budget goes into buying oil, ammo, and resources in that order.
But I digress, we’ve sullied the general good feelings. I’ll leave the real politik for another day. :)
“we’ve sullied the general good feelings”
What good feelings? And what “we”?
Kenmore, did somebody spill milk in you and forget to clean it up?
We as in myself and Jeff Waingrow and the good feelings are about trying to remember and have a moment for our lost soldiers. Is that sufficient, good sir? :)
There was enough money for the villains involved to give themselves bonuses. Government administration is the problem.
For once, can people stop pushing their personal and political agendas on a day that we should be honoring the dead? This has gotten beyond ridiculous. We can’t even have a day for those who have died for our country without disgracing it with politics.
Jeff, the VA has been problematic for at least 40 years that I am aware of on anecdotal basis. It transcends party. I have deliberately avoided using the system myself. This is only the latest scandal involving medical treatment for both veterans and active duty.
You’re welcome, but please keep your thoughts and prayers today on those who never came home.
Thank you for clarifying that. I was trying to think of kind way of saying it. But sometimes you have to get to the point. Regardless, Derek’s sentiment was well meant.
So many served, so many lost lives. So little to show for it at times. I’m not a blind supporter of the military but those who have perished in the line of duty deserve our memorial for the fact they were somebody.
Xereanar, I think we agree completely. I can’t stand how the “holiday” has turned into a barbecue fest, picnic and general good-time day. So many stores are open today too. This is disrespectful in the extreme. I think constantly about the lost lives. But I also think about the damaged ones, especially when they are not given their due. Politics should play no role in this. I suspect we’re very much on the same page.
Jeff,
The nature of observing the holiday has changed because fortunately, few have a personal connection with it. I will address the VA issue tomorrow after the observance has passed.
Jeff, I remember them on a sunny day with BBQ and beer because we made it abundantly clear to each other that that was how we would prefer to be remembered. In my heart there are a few who I spend today with, and I try to make it a day they’ll want to visit on.
I sincerely hope few, if any readers have personal remembrances today.
If you do pause today, remember those that died in the line of duty as well. Not all deaths are in combat.
Uh…..you do know that this is Memorial Day, not Veteran’s Day, right? This commemorates the people who served who did not get to be veterans.
sproc mentioned that above. A lot folks get it mixed up unfortunately.
“War Letters” by Andrew Carroll (2002) is excellent. The companion 2011 American Experience film (about 52 mins) is still available to stream free. http://video.pbs.org/video/1954369780/
Memorial Day is to honor the fallen. As an active duty officer, I can tell you that we don’t need the thanks today, we need to reserve this day for those who never got a chance to come home. The fact that we’re still above ground and got to come home to our families is thanks enough. Those who didn’t get that chance should get all the thanks, praise, and honor today.
Spartan,
I am reminded of that every time I see a license plate with a star or a heart on it. I’m thrilled they got to go to dmv and wave that 214 around instead of a small box going to the NoK.
Wow…kind of stunned to see some of the direction this thread took. You might not agree with how our miliary is used (and I say this as one who grew up in a military family, have a son who is in training to be an AF fighter pilot and myself work overseas in direct support of our servicemembers), but the day was intended to be one to stop and reflect on those that died in service to country. Period. No other politicing is required. While I sometimes get upset at the cavalier nature of our general public on this day (most don’t even stop to think about what the day is truly about), I suspect that most service members that died giving their last measure would prefer that we went about our lives and the greatest honor we can give them for their sacrifice is to live free…if that involves a steak and cold beer, then I’m fairly sure most departed soldiers/sailors/airmen/marines/coasties are up in Heaven hoisting one right alongside. Remember those that left their homes and never returned.
Derek
Thank you for posting this.
I may not always agree with your reviews or point of view but this shows that you are a class act.
Let us never forget those who have put themselves in harms way for the USA.