On November 11 it's important to remember that Americans in uniform,

[Ron Green]

since 1945, have not made us more free. They have projected American power around the globe, have fought against freedom-seeking people in their own countries, and propped up dictators all over the world.

The Armistice that is the cause for tomorrow’s remembrance was a solemn reminder to never again commit the kind of horrific acts of 1914-18. Modern nation states should have learned this lesson as part of their “coming of age,” but did not. And our nation has been particularly egregious in its application of force to solve international problems, renaming War as “defense” and glorifying the killing forces while removing the egalitarian selection process to the realm of volunteers.

As a disabled Army veteran, I hear “thank you for your service” on occasion, and I just nod my head, not wanting to spoil someone’s need to participate in this lionization of our troops. But when it’s time to remember, we should do so clearly and truthfully.

[roamer65]

1. Happy Armistice Day.

It should be put back to its original name. We should be made to remember the horrors of war.

[godsentme]

2. 11th hour 11th day 11th month

I say Thank You for the reminder.

[wnylib]

3. True, we have forgotten the true meaning

Last edited Wed Nov 11, 2020, 01:26 PM - Edit history (1)

of Armistice Day. It is not about glorifying war. It is about remembering the people who were called to war and lost their lives or were injured physically and mentally because war is a terrible thing. It is about celebrating peace, a time for reflection on finding better ways to deal with differences.

[Ron Green]

5. In my town we have an enormous parade with over 300 floats, bands,

clubs, community organizations of all kinds. This year, of course, it’s not happening, but Veterans Day has become such that rational discussion about the nature of militarism is impossible year-round. This sort of “friendly fascism” extends to police, fire, all sorts of first responders, and is wrapped up into the culture and fabric of the city.

Being nowhere near a military base, the myth is easily maintained. I suspect there are towns all over the country where this is the case.

[wnylib]

8. Yes there are towns all over the country

that hold similar attitudes andl celebrate the same way. Mine is like that about Memorial Day. I used to live on the parade route and always left home to do shopping or go to a movie to avoid it.

There are several people in my family who have served in the military, and some who are/were combat veterans so my attitude is not anti military. I just believe that we should never put them in combat unnecessarily, and when it is necessary, we owe them better treatment during and after the time they served. It is disgraceful that Vietnam vets had to fight so long and hard for recognition and treatment of damage from Agent Orange. It is disgraceful that our military in Iraq had inadequate supplies of water because the contractors cut corners to increase profits. It is disgraceful that they did not have adequate protective vests and families had to buy some to send to their relatives in combat. It is disgraceful that our military personnel were sent there in the first place.

We hold parades and sing patriotic songs to make ourselves feel righteous and good. Then we fight unnecessary wars and treat our military like crap.

[riverbendviewgal]

4. in Canada it is Remembrance Day

We wear poppies and have ceremonies at 11 am. It is a solemn time to honor our dead who served on the wars to protect our democracy.

[Aristus]

6. I'm a veteran, and even I get sick of the "fighting for our freedoms" mental masturbation.

I served in the Gulf in 1991. We weren't fighting for anyone's freedom except that of Kuwait, an ultra-conservative Muslim monarchy with a petroleum economy.

[edhopper]

7. I make a point of differentiating the veterans who served

and the useless, costly, immoral wars they fought.
Our military is just too large and takes too much of our treasure without making us safer.

This is not a rational use of our money and why we have a crumbling infrastructure and no national healthcare.
The military is literally killing us.