In Pericles' funeral
oration, he says, "for a man's counsel cannot
have equal weight or worth when he alone has no children to risk in the
general danger."
Once many of our leaders
were also military parents, just prior to this last election only 30 percent
of the 535 members of congress had a military background. This number is down
from 1969 when more than two-thirds had served. Of the 535 members of
Congress, at least seven have a great personal interest: They have children in
the military that already are participating in the war or could be called to
do so. Perhaps this is why some of our elected representatives voted for the
war then voted against funding that war, they have nothing personally
invested. Unlike a sporting event where there are umpires, coaches, halftimes
and recesses, war is such a brutal affair that once started is uncontrollable
by anything but one side prevailing over the other.
With that in mind we expect
our service personnel to voluntarily enter military service, fight our wars,
sacrifice their youth, time, health and even their lives so we can securely
enjoy the benefits of a free country and society. What do we offer them in
return? Shabby treatment, hostility and disrespect, all because they believe
in protecting this nation and it's values.
[...]
