How proud we are, how sad. Thousands of flags, We thank you .

[yy4me]

It is an old cemetery and quite large. Graves from the 1700's through today. As I visited this morning to leave flowers at the grave of my husband who served in Korea, I was astounded by the number of flags at the graves of our American veterans. Heroes all. Our town honors all veterans with a flag at their grave.

To those of you who served, our profound thanks. We are here because you gave us your most valued gift. Whether you left us on the field of combat as Chris Piper did in Afghanistan or you came back to lead your life as you made it, we thank you for what you gave to all of us.

Freedom.

Each flag marks a life gone and a heart broken.

We love you all.

[frogcycle]

1. Amen n/t

[Lydia Leftcoast]

2. I'm sorry, but whatever those soldiers THOUGHT they were dying for

in World War I (a squabble among royal cousins that turned into a pointless bloodbath), Vietnam, Grenada, the Gulf War, Afghanistan, the Iraq invasion, and all the operations that involved "advising" right-wing dictators on how to repress their people, they were NOT dying for "our freedom."

"Dying for our freedom." That's one of the biggest Big Lies that the American people have been fed over the generations. Every war of my lifetime (with the POSSIBLE exception of Korea) has been either economic in origin or caused by overgrown boys playing Risk with people's lives.

Yes, many hearts are broken, and I suppose they have to tell themselves that their loved ones "died for freedom," but that doesn't make it true.

The sooner we Americans give up the illusion that the largest military in the world by far is all about "defending freedom," the sooner we'll regain our domestic prosperity and world-wide reputation.

"Dying for freedom." "Serving your country." These are all lies used to urge idealistic young people to sacrifice themselves for the greed and ambition of old men.

[Maat]

3. Bravo, Lydia!

And, I add, "I say a prayer for the deceased. May they rest in peace. It is a shame that they were set up in such a manner. Healing and comforting energy to their families today."

A toast to people around the world joining hands, joining as one, and stopping the madness; a toast to peace.
:toast:

[yy4me]

4. Lydia, I was not extolling the virtues of war and I do not think wars

are a way for us to live our lives. I grieve for all who are buried in every cemetery who should not have died. Whether these soldiers enlisted, the country took them via the draft, or whether they lived to see another day, they are gone.

They read the roll of all veterans from my town who died this past year.

My husbands name was on that list. He was drafted and served in Korea.

With him were the names of all the others who served the country and who died this past year.

Politics aside if you would for just once.

They are gone and we will not forget.

I grieve and will forever, whatever my politics.

[Aragorn]

7. Veterans served

and which war, whether they were drafted or not, etc do deserve consideration in some issues. On this day they all deserve our thoughts. As I type this NASACAR has thrown a yellow flag to go with Pres' message to note this at 3 PM today.

I am very vocal about how our people are used to fight unjust wars. I also treat any veteran for free if necessary. Many years, as I did this AM, I have made nursing home rounds on Memorial Day if only to greet my veteran patients there. For some it's the only day certain family members even visit.

It is important to note the difference between who served, and who sent them (and why).

[Lydia Leftcoast]

8. I don't blame the veterans and I respect their mourning families

It's just that this meme about their "dying for our freedom" is a lot of nonsense and has been in most wars that the U.S. has fought.

I also agree that having been suckered into thinking that they were "fighting for freedom" and often having been shattered physically or mentally for it, they deserve every favor that the nation can bestow.

[CBR]

5. Great Post!

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

6. They didn't "give" their lives. Their lives were taken from them.