On the nature of service to others

NCPR's Brian Mann wrote an interesting essay on Why Memorial Day Matters.

I could go on about how activities like Memorial Day are exploited to chill dissent and stifle real debate on when soldiers should be forced to risk their lives. But that's for another time. Memorial Day is a holiday that has become important to me. I am not entirely sure why but I think it's related to the notion of service to something greater than oneself. I also think it's related to my horror at the actual effects of war.

Yet, I think one of paradoxical effects of the us constantly honoring our soldiers is that it (inadvertently, I hope but am not sure) leaves the impression that the only way you can render service to your country is to join an institution whose primary means of problem-solving is violence.

The use of force for true self-defense is legitimate. And I believe it is right to honor the sacrifices ordinary soldiers made, since the controversial stuff is nearly always done by the politicians.

One thing for which I am grateful to my father (an Air Force veteran) is the way in which he stressed to me the importance of service to others. He did not view service as something strictly limited to joining the military, something he never once encouraged or discouraged me from doing. He once expressed envy at my choice to serve in West Africa in the Peace Corps. He had a very broad view of service and I am thankful he shared that.

As such, I wished we lived in a society that place more value on serving your country and community in ways that build and help other Americans. We honor soldiers constantly. But do we honor teachers? Do we honor firefighters, who also risk their lives? Do we honor the truly heroic work of humanitarian aid workers? Do we honor volunteers who read to the sick or feed the homeless or visit the elderly, tasks perhaps more modest but an integral part of our greater humanity? Why don't we do more to honor that service which gives aid and comfort to human beings in our communities? Is it possible to wish we valued other forms of service without devaluing the very real service of soldiers? Is service to humanity really any less important than service to America? If not, why do we treat it as such?

Service organization of the week - call for nominations

I am planning a regular feature for this blog called The Service Organization of the Week. It is intended to highlight the countless non-profit organizations out there that raise money and promote volunteerism for worthy causes. The main criteria are that they be non-profit and oriented toward helping people. It doesn't matter if they focus on fundraising or promoting volunteering. It doesn't matter if their focus is local, national or international. If you'd like to nominate one or several organizations, please send me a brief write up of why the organization should be considered and a link to the organizations website (I will credit you unless you state otherwise). Please either email nominations to popeyeckn @ yahoo.com or leave a note in the comments field of this entry. I will be the final arbiter of organizations chosen.

Support our volunteers

If you support a progressive agenda, then support a progressive candidate.

There are many ways to give service to your community by volunteerism. Be a mentor. Join the PTA. Help a literacy program. But in my opinion, two of the most noble and important activities are those of the volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians (EMTs).

The Post-Star had a good editorial on the importance of retaining volunteer firefighters.

I am a huge fan of, and have a great deal of respect for, volunteer firefighters and EMTs. These volunteers really are the backbone of many rural towns here in upstate New York and, no doubt, across the country. In an era when people are so mobile, it seems fewer and fewer people are connected to or really care about their communities... except when there's a problem that directly affects them. Volunteer fire companies and EMS's are truly a part of their community and comprise people who want to better the place where they live.

The thing that makes me particularly respect these two professions even more than the other noble forms of service is that volunteer firefighters and EMTs are saving people's lives and homes, and often risking their own lives and exposing themselves to horrific scenes... all in the knowledge that they won't receive a dime for what they choose to subject themselves to.

So if your local volunteer firefighters or EMTs hold a fundraiser, please help them out. They deserve your support.