“Find the cost of freedom buried in the ground.
Mother earth will swallow you, lay your body down.”
— Stephen Stills
Maybe it’s because of the generation into which I was born. When I think of World War II, I think of a war that we had to fight, a war to protect freedom and democracy. When I think of the Viet Nam War, I cannot think of anything of value for which we fought. When I think of the Iraq War, I cannot think of anything of value for which we fought. And, I am so afraid that the War in Afghanistan will turn out to be the same.
Maybe history will show that I am wrong. Right or wrong, too many good young men and women lost their lives in these conflicts. They are not to blame. Whatever our opinions of war, Memorial Day should honor their bravery and sacrifice. Maybe some day it will remind us of what war was rather than what war is. That would truly be a day worth celebrating.