"No way! You're not gonna dump on Veteran's Day are you? Why do you hate America?"
Why yes, I am going to dump on Veteran's Day.
There is barely a distinction between Veteran's Day and Memorial Day anymore. Yesterday I saw posts from people honoring those who served and died to make us free, others thanked a vet...even more were just the usual if we didn't have these brave people protecting our freedoms we would be speaking (insert language of country we have fought)
November 11th was once a holiday to help us remember how absolutely worthless World War I was. You know, that war that sent 2 million of your untrained great grandfathers to Europe to fight in a war that was almost already over? For a great many years it worked too! Once upon a time the United States had to be dragged, kicking and screaming into wars...and once we were in them we did things like invent Atomic weapons to get out of them as quickly as possible.
Now I'm not dumping on vets. Don't get me wrong. My heart sinks reading the stories of the increased numbers of suicides, PTSD, and other problems that those who are serving are now facing. They need our support now, as much as ever. Our vets need to be honored for certain, but not at the expense of one opportunity a year to reflect on the horrible cost of war.
Like World War I, war is often unnecessary and the official reasons for entering them are almost always surrounded in lies. I think we still need days in the calendar year to remind ourselves of this.
[also, please save yourself from arguing that I'm against veterans or am unappreciative or whatever...it's a waste of time for you and me. I've personally thanked the vets in my family and they have my undying appreciation.]
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