Another Memorial Day - What Have We Learned?
As we reflect on another Memorial Day where we are supposed to be remembering our Veterans, living and dead, I can't help but wonder what, exactly, we are honoring today. Supposedly, we are honoring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the cause of freedom. But what freedom, exactly? I'm truly wondering about this in a country where a Wiccan who gave his life saving his fellow soldiers (winning the Bronze Star and Purple Heart) isn't allowed the freedom to have his religious symbol on his grave. The same country where his widow wasn't allowed to speak at a memorial dedication of her husband's monument because she used the First Amendment rights that our Veterans died to preserve in order to complain about the injustice done to her late husband. A country where a secret court with secret indictments and secret warrants are issued, which is bad enough, but an Administration that doesn't believe it should even have to follow THAT modicum of rubber stamp because its motivations should never be questioned. That same country where I, as a free American citizen, have to worry about my telephone being tapped because I occasionally make international calls, and have spoken out against governmental actions upon occasion.
I would be willing to bet that the majority of those who gave their lives to preserve Freedom would be first surprised, and then perhaps disgusted that one of their own, a hero, is denied the symbol of his faith. They would likely also be appalled that our current Administration doesn't follow even the most simple of rules designed to protect the freedoms of all Americans. And for this reason, I am very sad, and truly hope that these fallen heros did not give their lives in vain.