Who Are We Fighting For?

I've always had a soft spot in my heart for veterans. And homeless veterans? That kills me. It seems like the thanks they receive (random national holidays and meager government assistance) just doesn't do them justice.

And now, here we are. In the middle of another war. Sure we could go on about how it's meaningless. How men and women (like those on 60 Minutes last night) are losing limbs, even lives, for something I'm not even sure is worthwhile. How these soldiers are away from their families for way longer than should be allowed. And how George Bush didn't find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and should have just taken everyone out of there and gone home.

But saying there is no purpose to the military presence in Iraq does not honor those soldiers that died yesterday, today, and probably tomorrow. It does not pay homage to the ones who suffered brain damage, year long comas, and a prognoses of "permanent vegetative state." And it does not acknowledge the countless number of humans in our history that suffered immense mental and physical anguish in all the wars that, by many, are seen as unnecessary.

So, however you feel about the war, take a moment today to remember that there are dads that haven't seen their kids in a year. There are moms that won't be home for Christmas. And there are folks that have lost a piece of their body, mind, and/or spirit just so we can enjoy our days as they always have been. Free and comfortable.

If you want to do something to help, we featured a couple posts on Cool Mom Picks that might just be what you're looking for.

Comments

[mothergoosemouse]

Hear hear. Thank you.

[Binky]

Sorry to be getting here so late. I hope I am not the last one, because I think this post deserves many, many comments in support of our troops. People have an amazing capacity to forget things, which can be just dandy for the forgetter but not so much for the forgotten. Please give this mother blogger's thanks to your husband and everyone on your base.

[Nancy]

Yes. The people are what Memorial Day is all about -- not the politics. Well said.

[joy]

very well said, k. absolutely.

[Jaime]

A friend of mine from high school died in the war in April 2003. I spent yesterday thinking about him and his sacrifice. I am so honored to have known him and thank him every day for what he did for his country. Without people who are willing to make these kinds of sacrifices, we would not be free.

[Mommy off the Record]

Thanks for reminding me that this was not just a day off from work. We do owe our troops a great deal of respect. One day a year is the least we can do.

[something blue]

This is thoughtful and true.

[Blog Antagonist]

Absolutely. Thanks for the reminder.

[Mom101]

This is awesome Kristen. Thanks for reminding us the day is about more than getting out the linen.

[zygote daddy]

Wonderfully put. I am always at kind of a loss knowing what is appropriate to say exactly, having neither family members nor friends currently serving in the military. Thank you so much for your words and your perspective.

[Sunshine Scribe]

Well said Kristen. Well said. The best memorial day post I think that could be written.

[mama_tulip]

Well said.

[dear wife]

Thank you for this post. You mimicked my feelings exactly and put them so elequently.

[wordgirl]

You are so right! You know...it pains me that our military families are not adequately taken care of. When the Veterans Hospitals have to call you and ask for donations of toothbrushes and underwear, something's wrong someplace. I'm against the war but I loves me some veterans. I had two uncles and a grandfather in WWII. A cousin and an uncle in VietNam. I've seen it up close.

[Kvetch]

Good reminder. Sometimes folks get so caught up in the WHAT that they forget the WHO.

[Pattie]

Beautiful post. Thanks for the reminder about the PEOPLE who are sacraficing everything, for us.