On Memorial Day, Americans honor the fallen. Soldiers whose faces will never appear before us again are remembered for their service. Only the few, friends and family, will recall the life of those young men and women who passed from this world into another. In a country grateful for the protection troops provide, people will shop on this holy day. A President will place a wreath on the grave of an unknown soldier. Beautiful speeches will be made in the spirit of homage. Americans will bow their heads in respect. Reverence will be offered, and statistics that document the effects of war will not be shared. Yet, the numbers cry out for attention, just as the pained servicemen and women do.
The suicide rate of veterans is at least three times the national suicide rate. In 2005, the suicide rate for veterans 18- to 24-years-old was three to four times higher than non-veterans.
About 126 veterans per week commit suicide.
About 154,000 veterans nationwide are homeless on any given night. One-fourth of the homeless population is veterans.
There are more homeless Vietnam veterans than the number of soldiers who were killed during that war.
It takes at least 5.5 years, on average, to resolve a benefit claim with the Veteran's Administration.
More than 600,000 unresolved claims are backlogged with the Veteran's Administration.
Approximately 18.5 percent of service members who have returned from Afghanistan and Iraq currently have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or depression.
19.5 percent of these veterans report experiencing traumatic brain injury.
Roughly half of those who need treatment seek it, but only slightly more than half of those who receive treatment receive at least minimally adequate care, according to an April 2008 Rand Report.
I am not an expert on war. I am only an observer, an optimist, and a believer in peace. I admit I do not believe that any war can be fought to end all wars. My trust is in peaceful practices. I think communication is the only way to eliminate combat. Confrontation is loathsome to me. I have yet to see a reason for it.
I accept and experience reactive behaviors reap the same in return. It is my strongest belief that people mirror each other. Actually, scientists have discovered "mirror neurons" in our brains. Humans learn through observation and repeat what they catch a glimpse of. Thus, my preference is never to witness war, not even amongst friends, families, or neighbors.
My heart hurts when I consider the prospect of fighting. Many years ago, I read gut-wrenching letters written by those that fought in feudal battles. These communiqués were offered in a book titled, "Dear America, Letters Home From Vietnam." Soldiers were far from their domicile, longing to share with those they loved. They also feared saying too much.
Throughout my life, the musical "My Fair Lady" resonated within me. As I reflect upon our soldiers, and the oft-heard phrase, "Support Our Troops," I am again reminded of this theatrical production. Eliza Doolittle sang a song, "Show Me." She emphatically stated, "Make me no undying vow. Show me now! Sing me no song! Read me no rhyme! Don't waste my time, Show me!"
This was exactly my thought as I read a New York Times article, "Veterans Await a Resting Place That Is Truly Final." We offer our troops words; too often, our actions do not show them that we mean what we say. Apparently, whether we are discussing our soldiers serving in Iraq or those toiling in Afghanistan, there is reason to believe, that we, the people of United States of America, do not truly support our troops; in life; nay in death.
Are American armed forces a collection of volunteers, or, are most, the victims of vouchers? We, as a nation, turn to the poor; the hopeless, to those that feel helpless, and we ask them to join the armed forces in the name of patriotism. Yet, most do not feel particularly patriotic; they do not endorse a war that was instigated on false premises. Few feel loyal to a country that let them down, one that did not provide for all equally.
Many of these disheartened grew up in substandard housing. Millions of them have received a less than adequate education. For some, their race is not treated with respect; for others their religious practice is not honored. Nonetheless, this country asks these individuals to serve. A nation that shows little if any reverence for the disadvantaged wants them to enlist. Knowingly, these men and women refuse. They decline to place their own lives on the line, the frontline. The do not wish to tempt fate and this is why recruiting numbers are down.
In a Memorial Day service President Bush referred to America as a nation of "reluctant warriors." Recent endeavors to enlist soldiers validate this claim. NBC Nightly News reports, "For the first time, Army and Marine Corps officials are privately admitting they'll probably miss their overall recruiting target for the entire year."
Vigorous attempts were made to lure recruits. Age restrictions were altered, educational requirements were reduced, pay, and benefits were increased, and still, there are few takers. Incentives and enticements are ample. Yet, only handfuls wish to enlist. Recruiters find great reluctance even among the poor and the black. In the past, these groups were more likely to volunteer. These men and women were prepared to sacrifice their lives, merely for a chance to survive, financially. However, this too has changed.
One Army official stated the outlook is "bleak." The war on terrorism, the war in Afghanistan, and the war in Iraq have taken a physical and emotional toll. While the Pentagon, the Whitehouse, and the media have attempted to hide the true cost of war, we know.
Though photographs of the wounded and fallen have rarely been seen, we see what they do not wish to acknowledge. Many of us have family, friends, or acquaintances that have been severely affected by the wars. Lives have been lost, limbs too. Hospital wards are filled with soldiers whose vision is permanently impaired; yet, for them, the image of war is vivid. They may not tell their tales aloud, the pain is too great, yet we hear them.
Our young citizens do not wish to create their own stories of woe; they will wait to join the armed forces. They will join when there is no threat of war. Yes, America is a country of reluctant warriors, possibly, more so now than ever before.
On this Memorial Day 2005, as on memorials days in the past, I feel such sorrow. I wish that we were memorializing peace and not war, the living and not those that have passed. I wish that we were as our current President often espouses, "mindful." My regret is that we, as a nation, speak of harmony while creating conflict. We talk of negotiations and then often forego diplomatic measures. We fight wars to end all wars, and we do this repeatedly.
Today, in honor of the "holiday" my mind drifts. I contemplate the meaning of this homage. I believe that this day is intended for reflection and remembrance. It is a day to recall all of our fallen heroes, those that served in every war. It is a time to reflect upon "battles" and to consider the lives lost. On this occasion, we might ponder what we treasure. Our thoughts will undoubtedly turn to families, those that grieve the loss of their sons, daughters, fathers, and mothers, and know that they will see them no more. At present, my hope is that we will think about the tragedy of having not learned from history.
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
~ George Santayana, The Life of Reason, Volume 1, 1905
It was a day, just like any and all others days are in this God forsaken place; yet, God was all around us. There were many Gods, many interpretations of God, yet none were bringing love or peace. There were noises, loud noises, all around me. At times, piercing sounds would slice through the air; they were loud enough to burst an eardrum. There was never a truly quiet moment, noise was a constant companion. It was also an enemy, my enemy.
The constant barrage of blasting bullets and bombs caused many a sleepless night. There were children crying, parents screaming, and there were soldiers. They too made sounds, none of them good or comforting.
Then in a wink of an eye, it happened; I felt hot and sleepy. I had been standing, keeping watch. A muffled hum wised past my ear. I wondered, what was that?' I saw nothing. I felt a sensation; it was warm and wet. I looked down and then, I knew. Cold steel had entered my soft and supple flesh. It pierced through tissue, bone, and organs. Blood was flowing everywhere. I felt faint. I was hit!
Pat Tillman, the patriot, left a lucrative career to serve his country. His brother joined him; they each enlisted in the Army and served as Rangers. The brothers wanted to participate, to express their love of country; they chose to protect and defend and to do so with honor. They were stationed in Afghanistan; they were actively supporting this nation. However, there is reason to believe that this nation did not fully support them.
They, the Army, knew within days, though they chose not to tell the tale of "gross negligence." While investigating the death of former National Football League player, Pat Tillman, Army investigators quickly discovered that "friendly fire" was the cause of his death. Army officials realized that fellow Rangers killed the famous serviceman. However, they did not disclose this truth; they destroyed it. Officers did not tell the Tillman family or friends what really happened. They intentionally led the public astray for they feared retribution. They waited; they waited for weeks.
The Pentagon and Whitehouse promoted the Tillman passing; ceremonies were televised. It was, it is, a great story.
The nation honored the life and passing of a great man. Yet, the true tale was not told until later. Those in power dreaded a candid accounting, what might it mean for the "war effort."
Early in April 2005, I wrote of how we tentatively support our troops. I shared the odd ways in which we honor those that we love. I questioned Department of Defense policies. The Pentagon does not accurately report the actual number of war casualties. "Casualties" are considered persons that are "hurt directly by the bullets and the bombs of the enemy." If an ally wounds a soldier, if a soldier is injured in an accident, or if a serviceperson hurts him/herself, s/he is not "counted' as a casualty!
I wrote of how the government fears losing support for the war effort. They do not wish to expose the truth of our conflicts. They fear the "Dover test." When our war wounded and fallen soldiers are flown back into the States, they arrive at Air Force Bases, such as, Dover. When citizens see images of these, when they are forced to face the reality of war, they often withdraw their support. It is difficult to tolerate the loss of young lives. Equally troublesome is the loss of an eye or a limb; the cruelty of war-imposed pain is not a welcome sight. Therefore, our government has chosen to screen what we see; they want us to feel good about our wars.
Now, on April 28, 2005, I discover others questioning and actively conquering military conventions, and more pictures. After an extensive legal battle, the Pentagon was forced to reveal 360 photographs of United States soldiers killed in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other conflicts.
We, Americans, speak of loving our troops, supporting our soldiers and yet we demonstrate this in the oddest of ways. Recently, on April 1, 2005, I was listening to what I wish were an April "Fool's Day" ruse. Sadly, it was not. I was tuned into On the Media, a National Public Radio program. The topic was "Wounded in Abstraction." Radio host Brook Gladstone was interviewing Salon correspondent, Mark Benjamin. Mr. Benjamin has been covering the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He has followed the injured soldiers, listened to their stories, and observed their stresses.
He has written much on the subject. During this discourse, he spoke of the Pentagon, its practices, policies, and the manner in which it calculates war casualties. He offered that the numbers are "deceptively low" and he explained why this is.
Reporter Benjamin shared that the Pentagon selectively defines the term "casualties." Casualties are only persons that are "hurt directly by the bullets and the bombs of the enemy." If an ally wounds a soldier, if s/he is injured in an automobile accident, if a combatant commits suicide, or is s/he is impaired accidentally, then s/he is not considered a casualty of war.
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