Today is Memorial Day. It's the day we honor those American soldiers who died in uniform. There is also Veterans Day, where we honor all soldiers; though we tend to do that at Memorial Day as well.
It's fine that we do those things. I just wish people would remember the reverence of Memorial Day when deciding on which random and sundry wars to launch. If people dying in war is such a solemn occasion, maybe we should try to make sure it doesn't happen unnecessarily.
I wish we had a day devoted to diplomats, peacemakers and humanitarian workers. We have one day to presidents and one day to causes like an explorer, a civil rights leader, even the flag. We have two days devoted to soldiers. Why not have a day devoted to those people who, if successful, prevent soldiers from having to fight and die in the first place? Why not have a day to honor those who ingloriously are charged with the task of cleaning up the messes left by soldiers of all nationalities?
Something like a Humanitarians Day would require us to, for one day, think of ourselves as humans, instead of merely Americans. But they deserve to honored too.
2 comments:
"Why not have a day devoted to those people who, if successful, prevent soldiers from having to fight and die in the first place?"
Yeah, there used to be such a day, but Iraqis don't have to celebrate Saddam's birthday any more.
That's wonderful Peter, except I was referring to Americans.
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