By Tommy Acosta
Sedona, AZ — What does it take? What does it take, to charge into a hail of bullets, to kill or be killed in mortal combat?
Bravery? Duty? Fear? Rage?
Put yourself in that position. Are you willing to kill or die for your country?
As we celebrate Memorial Day, we do so with barbecues, marches, parades, and gatherings in honor and memory of those who were killed in action or gone forever missing in the fog of war.
Yes, we memorialize these heroes, whose sacrifice ensures the quality of life we now enjoy.
The enlisted, the drafted, all cannon fodder eaten by the death war lives for. Families devastated, brothers and fathers lost forever as the bloody machine claims the lives of our soldiers.
As long as there are men and women willing to kill to take what they want and those willing to kill or die to stop them, there will be forever war.
Throughout history, through ancient times, war has been and continues to be waged unabated and un-diminished.
The common denominator and cause are land and the riches produced by the land. To take it by force or defend it. Every war ever fought has been and is about bounty, and the acquisition, by force, of territory.
And, of course, the money made by those who produce and provide the arms is a major impetus too often ignored..
From clubs, rocks, knives, swords, guns to guided munitions and ballistic missiles, we just get better and more efficient at killing.
Regardless of the reasons, leaders create wars. It always comes down to the soldier, there on the killing fields, who sacrifices their life.
Whether it’s charging a machine gun nest or tank, killing with a bayonet in hand-to-hand combat, or being blown to pieces by a bomb, death is the price paid for victory or defeat.
Whether the soldier is sent to battle to take by force what their leaders want, or defend against an aggressor, or is fighting for justice, revenge — death is death, painful or otherwise.
Whether the soldier fights for an ideal or a stock market gain is irrelevant.
They fight. They kill. They die. They are buried. But never forgotten by those who have suffered the loss of a loved one or relative to war.
The ultimate sacrifice. The giving of one’s life for whatever reason, whether it be in conquest or defense, is still death having its way.
To these men and women who died fighting in our nation’s wars, from the War for Independence, through the Civil War, to the wars of the 20th Century, they deserve to be honored every year in remembrance of their supreme sacrifice.
Be grateful.
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22 Comments
“Bravery? Duty? Fear? Rage?“
First two, not a chance unless you’re a new boot recruit or 2nd Lt.
Second two, yes perhaps at times.
Mostly it’s keeping yourself and your friends of all walks, races, ethnicities, religions, atheists and so on alive because they’d do the same for you. It’s also a job you get paid to do although barely unless you’re an O-4 or above and make the big money to make big choices.
And I know it’s common for M’erican’s to celebrate with picnics and parties on Memorial Day and also common to thank Veterans for their service. The holiday is a somber day for veterans who have lost friends in war and likely don’t feel much like partying and picnicking. The thank you should go to the deceased and their families. Veterans Day is the day to thank a veteran if you so choose for they have made the ultimate final sacrifice for you to live your way of life.
The greed of those in power will never cease; wars will end when men, and women, refuse to fight.
“Memorial day” and “Veteran day” holidays, with uniforms, flags, marches and feasts are enticement lures for a new generation of suckers [not heroes.]
Floyd I agree and disagree. In Europe they don’t do picnics and parties on Memorial/Armistice Day. They do some ceremonies with Active Duty, Reservist and Veterans but the mood is very very somber and not festive.
If nobody in Ukraine took up arms in defense of their country they’d all be dead or Russian property by now.
Wars are rarely if ever justified but standing up to land grabbing aggression is not something that is optional.
Our post 9-11 veterans were lied to by the GOP regarding WMD’s in Iraq (which had zilch to do with 9-11) as an excuse for taking out W’s daddies nemesis Saddam.
Desert Storm and Panama were also opportunities for the GOP under W’s Daddy, Don Dumsfeld and Duck Cheney to seek retaliation on former CIA clientele such as Noriega and Saddam for not living up to the shady bargains they dealt with them. Vietnam was a Yuge lie too!
But we went into Rwanda, Somalia and Bosnia with the intention of stopping war and atrocities from continuing. Yes there were some ulterior motives such as NATO expansion and foot hold on the African Continent but the loss of life prevented definitely outweighed those perceived negatives.
Don’t blame the troops who do their Nations bidding because they took up job opportunities they’d never have otherwise.
Well said, Tommy. I always marvel at the cynicism of those less interested in their native country. For those of us who have served, it’s an experience that is a challenge to describe adequately – kind of like trying to describe being a parent to those are not, there are plenty of words to use, but none that touch the depth of it. Mostly, I think it makes one more of who they are. If one is generous, they become more generous. If one is complainer, they become more of a complainer. Regardless, there is a true bond between a wider cross-section of people than most will encounter. The bottom line is that one fights to be there for their brother/sister, for the presence of the other. Everyone has fear, and anger is the natural result of fear, but courage is the choice we make in the face of fear – and acts resulting from courage we call “bravery.” Every soul who has laid down their life for another while facing their greatest fear deserves our greatest respect – as do those who suffer the loss of that soul in their lives. Memorial Day is an opportunity to offer this respect.
No WMDs in Iraq? I’d introduce you to a squad leader to has lung damage who lost 20 of his men trying to dispose of Chemical WMD that “didn’t” exist.
The ignorance of some of the posts is beyond the pale.
This is a somber time to honor those who gave some, and some that gave all.
When you interface with these brave men and women, it changes you.
Focus Michael focus! I said Iraq had zilch to do with 9-11 not that it had zilch WMD’s!
I wouldn’t lie or exaggerate when it comes to chemical weapons and exposures to them as I am a victim of nerve agent exposure myself.
Only reason W knew there were Chemical Weapons in Iraq is because his crooked ass daddy gave them to Saddam to use on Iran and gave the Ayatollah some to use on Iraq! He didn’t make them, we did! He just happily used them!
Our post 9-11 veterans were lied to by the GOP regarding WMD’s in Iraq
Your words, not mine. And the fact that you use GOP in your rant negates your comment as the military is not political.
You need to control yourself and learn how to spell.
Firstly what I said stands! Our troops were lied to about Saddam manufacturing chemical weapons because he did not! There is zero evidence of chemical weapons being manufactured in Iraq during that time! Your veteran buddy had twenty troops killed While trying to dispose of Chemical Weapons! is pure bullshit and not backed by any physical evidence.
Only troops that have a verified Exposure were down winder units Exposed to downwind fallout from chemical weapons which were in secure bunkers by aerial bombardment at the Iraqi Military Ammunition Storage Area known as Khamisiyah:
https://gulflink.health.mil/retired/khamisiyah_041497/kham7.html
Yes many other GI’s including myself have had chemical exposure related illness and have even died due to this exposure since the bunkers were destroyed. But they also faced illness from burn pits, bad food and water, disease carrying vectors such as sand fleas.
Your pal is bullshitting you and if you pull his records via a FOIA request to NARA on his service records you’d likely see he didn’t even serve in theater at that time or served in some rear service support capacity and never heard a shot fired in anger! He’s not the ammo selling teen militia training guy who sets up his ammo sold for big profits at his little ammo stand is he?
Secondly the GOP did and has lied to get our troops into conflicts with their former CIA puppets like Saddam, Noriega, Qaddafi etc. by creating exaggerated existential bullshit lies to go after them. Sure they were thugs and sadistic war criminals but they were all the CIA and the GOP’s thugs and criminals before they became declared enemies of the US. I was a GI and non partisan, but that does not mean you blindly follow NOTsee orders you dolt!
You need to read some actual military history before you run your mouth about things you have absolutely NO clue about!
So far as spell checks go, you have made many gaffes as well. I do proof read my post and have made errors but somehow when I hit send spell check changes my post as I am certain happens to most frequent posters on here including Tommy himself who has posted some minor spelling errors in his posts. So if you want to make a Yuge deal about spelling rather than presenting substantive counter arguments then by all means be my guest. It makes you petty not I!
And if you truly respected Veterans you wouldn’t attack them on Memorial Day of all Days even if you disagree with what they have to say just because it doesn’t placate your political persuasion.
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2023/03/the-iraq-invasion-20-years-later-it-was-indeed-a-big-lie-that-launched-the-catastrophic-war/
Nuff said! Awaiting your droll attempt to contest the facts. Maybe your veteran pal can assist you?
“Thank you for your service” says the Butcher to the Lamb. Should the Lamb reply “You’re welcome?”;does the Butcher give a damn?
Pretty good Floyd but have you ever served or faced being drafted? Otherwise those are only words from a book.
And Michael, just because you know a veteran doesn’t make you one!
For a guy who loves to say every Republican talking point, complains about everything Sedona.
Sure Mr. Fiscal Conservative can look the other way never complain about the trillions spent on 2 quagmires that each lasted 20 years! Oh the hypocrisy of the right. Filled with hate, ignorance and greed.
Here is a thought, learn empathy. Admit when you’re wrong!
I never served because I was born with one leg a bit longer than the other and the draft board rejected me. So I won’t pretend to know what I’m talking about when it comes to the military or veterans in general. I do however know history and politics and though I wanted to go with my friends and classmates I’m glad I didn’t go to Vietnam and sorry they had too. I empathize with JB’s point of view about the GOP they have after all initiated and escalated nearly every conflict the country has been in since Korea. They as WS Dave stated are responsible for two twenty plus years long quagmires that have resulted in over 300,000 US casualties when combining casualty figures. And let’s not forget their illegal bombing into the literal Stone Age of Cambodia and Los, Mi Lai, Iran Contra, Abu Ghraib, Mission Accomplished and the Caliphate has been destroyed! All lies and atrocities under GOP leadership.
Herbert Walker Bush as then CIA Director did in fact give black book weapons and ammunition stolen from our military to both Iran and Iraq during their wars in the 1980’s. And Reagan did in fact give Iran and the Contras black book weapons and ammunition also stolen from our military. I refer you to the book titled How the Whitehouse Secretly Armed Iran-A Spiders Web for the entire story. It includes actual Whitehouse documents, CIA testimony and more. I’m sure Democrat Administrations have also engaged in similar activities but for some strange reason nothing comes to mind other than a blow job and an alleged illegal server which have nothing to do with the subject matter at hand. And I’ve never heard a President of the United States disparage our military, it’s leadership, veterans, gold star families, POW’s and our KIA like that Jackass who had his dad pay his cowardly way out of going to Vietnam. That’s all I have to say about that and I think that says plenty.
Spider’s Web: The Secret History of How the White House Illegally Armed Iraq https://a.co/d/ckqBm0B
Is this the book TJ? If so I read it years ago and was surprised to learn from it that the very individuals my team and I were trying to catch stealing weapons from our ASA in Europe back in 86-90 were actually CIA operatives stealing our weapons to give to our enemies! We never caught them red handed but came close and managed to recover 4 Dragon and 2 TOW weapon systems stolen from secured alarm bunkers and found lying in the woods adjacent the perimeter fence on their way out! One of the most shameful acts of government I have ever witnessed (could have easily resulted in fratricidal death) after the Orange idiot’s insurrection and theft of TS/SCI and COSMIC/PRP classified materials which he most likely showed to and or sold copies of to Xi, Labrov and who knows what other scumbag pals of his?
That’s the book. Highly recommend it to anyone who wants to learn truthful American history.
Yeppers that’s the very one. I’d be interested in learning more of what you’ve outlined here if you can talk about it that is.
Just in town for a business conference. As I veteran I want to thank my buddies who never made it home and their families. I also wish to thank those who came back in body but not mind and spirit.
War is ugly and inhumane to say the very least. But sometimes it is a necessary evil to combat man’s evil deeds. Standing by silently and watching atrocities take place makes you complicit.
So let’s give thanks to those who gave their lives sometimes for naught and more often for their fellow man.
Kevin Picard Sgt US Army-Amen, my brother.🙏
One witch trial down many more to go!
https://apple.news/AIJRRfeMUTL-sQdjFim-3aw
Best day M’erica has had since 2016!
In reply to Mike Schroeder—“…when you interface with these brave men and women, it changes you…” “Interface with” ?😳That’s corp speak, not veterans speak. This many years remote- from having NOT served-now you’re “changed”, by merely talking to much younger ex-service members. Really?! Is there ANYTHING that isn’t about You? Please-you had your opportunity to “interface” with service members by answering a draft call, or joining a service.You’re around 60 years too late to glom-on now.
You should have the simple decency to just STFU on Memorial and Veterans days. They have nothing to do with you.
Doc Sullivan- it’s ok for civilians to comment on these holidays. What’s not ok is talking out ones arse about chemical and other WMD’s, military battles, military regulation and law etc. as MS constantly does. He has done some good for veterans with his flights for some vets to distant medical appointments. That is commendable to say the least. But thinking because he does that it makes him one of us veterans without putting in the blood, sweat, tears and continuous sleep deprivation is a form of Stolen Valor in my mind. I offered him a cease fire on here and that was his response to it.
Thanks for your service and replies.