Inadequate
Inadequate. My thought for today as I stood at the cemetary for the very, very early service for our fallen soldiers. As I stood there, the civilians numbered no more than 20. And I wondered why. Perhaps more would attend other services and events. It was 6:00 a.m. after all. But I stood there wondering, how many of the fallen, arose way before this hour, or were still awake after all-nighter. I silently chastised myself for having the first thought of a three day weekend rather than what this holiday represented. I knew what I was doing this day - it is what I do every Memorial Day. I wake up early, fly the flag and go to the graveside services. It's what I have done every Memorial Day for the last 20+ years. Yet, on Friday, it wasn't my first thought - it was my second, and I sit here very ashamed.
That thought led to others, as with me, they often do. Each day the news reports tell us the number of ultimate sacrifices. We hear reports of all the inadequacies. I am sure there are good things that are happening over there. There must be. There HAS to be.
There are thousands of political blogs - I certainly have no intention of being political. Today, however, is a day for us to stop, ponder and be truly grateful to the soldiers who have volunteered to give the ultimate sacrifice if necessary. It is also a day we must ask ourselves, what are we willing to sacrifice for them and how personally responsible we are for them.
Some believe the war in Iraq was about oil. This may or may not be the case. My thoughts are not to debate this issue. I simply wonder, if the war is about oil, why do we continue to purchase vehicles that use more fuel. It seems that if this is indeed fact, should we not take the responsibility to buy more fuel efficient vehicles. Should we not take the responsibility to pressure the auto makers to produce only fuel efficient vehicles. Should we not just drive 2 miles a week less. Should we insist our governments improve or even build more mass transit systems. Should we not insist to develop other fuel alternatives. What responsibility can we take to alleviate this reason out of the equation.
On the other hand, if this is not an issue for the war, should we take these responsibilities anyway as a life choice instead of taking them only when the price of fuel becomes a real obstacle in our lives.
I remember not long ago the abyssmal conditions reported at Walter Reed. Black mold, roaches, mice. There were investigations into this issue at this hospital and investigations into other hospitals to insure this was an isolated incident. Yes, Walter Reed is scheduled to be closed, but is this a good reason for these conditions. I wonder who didn't take the responsibility to report these conditions sooner. Black mold doesn't start in 1 day. It does take time to grow. Should it have been the personnel, the powers at be who visited, the patients, the visitors. Was it our responsibility to the wounded soldiers to make ensure they had the best. Could we have made sacrifices for them that would have affected their well being. It is a little known fact that some wounded soldiers are brought home with little more than the clothes (or hospital gowns) on their back. How long do they wait for more. How long do they wait for disability claims to be taken care of. Once a soldier enlists, they are expected at that moment to give the ultimate sacrifice. As so much is expected of them, do they not have a right to expect us to be responsible for them. Do they not have the right to expect a sacrifice from us.
It goes without saying that the soldiers have great needs to make their lives even a bit better than what they are experiencing now. Much could be said on what they deserve. To me, they deserve the best of the best. If this means additional clothing for what a clothing allowance will not stretch to buy, protective gear and weapons that are better than "standard issue", flea collars, mouse traps, baby wipes - we have a responsibility to provide them. If when the soldiers come home, do we not have the responsibility to make sure they get whatever help they need - not just physically, but emotionally as well. Yes, I believe we have a responsibility to insist they are provided. We have a responsibility to sacrifice so they are provided. If this means one less lunch at a restaurant, one less latte per week, one less "toy", than so be it. What are these sacrifices compared to the ultimate sacrifice these soldiers face each and every day. If our financial situation is such that it cannot afford one more expenditure, no matter how small, could we not take the responsibility to make sure not one soldier goes without receiving a card, a letter, an email. Should we be responsibile for our local organizations for the soldiers such as the VFW, DAV, etc. and take the responsibility to help with their needs.
As we talk about their courage, their responsibility, their sacrifices, where are ours? Why are those who accept these repsonsibilities and act on them, and who make sacrifices for our soldiers so few?
That thought led to others, as with me, they often do. Each day the news reports tell us the number of ultimate sacrifices. We hear reports of all the inadequacies. I am sure there are good things that are happening over there. There must be. There HAS to be.
There are thousands of political blogs - I certainly have no intention of being political. Today, however, is a day for us to stop, ponder and be truly grateful to the soldiers who have volunteered to give the ultimate sacrifice if necessary. It is also a day we must ask ourselves, what are we willing to sacrifice for them and how personally responsible we are for them.
Some believe the war in Iraq was about oil. This may or may not be the case. My thoughts are not to debate this issue. I simply wonder, if the war is about oil, why do we continue to purchase vehicles that use more fuel. It seems that if this is indeed fact, should we not take the responsibility to buy more fuel efficient vehicles. Should we not take the responsibility to pressure the auto makers to produce only fuel efficient vehicles. Should we not just drive 2 miles a week less. Should we insist our governments improve or even build more mass transit systems. Should we not insist to develop other fuel alternatives. What responsibility can we take to alleviate this reason out of the equation.
On the other hand, if this is not an issue for the war, should we take these responsibilities anyway as a life choice instead of taking them only when the price of fuel becomes a real obstacle in our lives.
I remember not long ago the abyssmal conditions reported at Walter Reed. Black mold, roaches, mice. There were investigations into this issue at this hospital and investigations into other hospitals to insure this was an isolated incident. Yes, Walter Reed is scheduled to be closed, but is this a good reason for these conditions. I wonder who didn't take the responsibility to report these conditions sooner. Black mold doesn't start in 1 day. It does take time to grow. Should it have been the personnel, the powers at be who visited, the patients, the visitors. Was it our responsibility to the wounded soldiers to make ensure they had the best. Could we have made sacrifices for them that would have affected their well being. It is a little known fact that some wounded soldiers are brought home with little more than the clothes (or hospital gowns) on their back. How long do they wait for more. How long do they wait for disability claims to be taken care of. Once a soldier enlists, they are expected at that moment to give the ultimate sacrifice. As so much is expected of them, do they not have a right to expect us to be responsible for them. Do they not have the right to expect a sacrifice from us.
It goes without saying that the soldiers have great needs to make their lives even a bit better than what they are experiencing now. Much could be said on what they deserve. To me, they deserve the best of the best. If this means additional clothing for what a clothing allowance will not stretch to buy, protective gear and weapons that are better than "standard issue", flea collars, mouse traps, baby wipes - we have a responsibility to provide them. If when the soldiers come home, do we not have the responsibility to make sure they get whatever help they need - not just physically, but emotionally as well. Yes, I believe we have a responsibility to insist they are provided. We have a responsibility to sacrifice so they are provided. If this means one less lunch at a restaurant, one less latte per week, one less "toy", than so be it. What are these sacrifices compared to the ultimate sacrifice these soldiers face each and every day. If our financial situation is such that it cannot afford one more expenditure, no matter how small, could we not take the responsibility to make sure not one soldier goes without receiving a card, a letter, an email. Should we be responsibile for our local organizations for the soldiers such as the VFW, DAV, etc. and take the responsibility to help with their needs.
As we talk about their courage, their responsibility, their sacrifices, where are ours? Why are those who accept these repsonsibilities and act on them, and who make sacrifices for our soldiers so few?
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