Today, at 11:00 (AM) in Great Britain, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, a number of other countries, and the USA, many will pause to pray for the repose of the souls of our defenders who have fallen in action in two world wars and various other conflicts. Here in the States, veterans' organizations will gather at flag stands, raise the flag, salute their comrades to the sound of Taps.
It is fitting that we remember them. It is fitting that we provide those who survived with some social benefits. It is not enough.
We need to live into the freedom they bought us. We need to make the sacrifices they made mean something by being free, being equitable, and being democracies as they expected. That too, is a battle, and sometimes as in the case of Medger Evers, Dr. King, Ghandi and others, it can be a deadly one. But this fight for freedom, for equity, and for opportunity: the fight to make our countries worthy of the sacrifices of our veterans is necessary, indeed vital. As long as there are oppressors: defenders of DOMA, dictators, or bigots, the fight is not over.
Happy Veterans Day!
FWIW
jimB
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