Random Points: Monday, June 30, 2003

Monday, June 30, 2003

I went to a Fourth of July celebration last night. It was held at the University of South Carolina football stadium and it was quite an affair. It was put on by the biggest white and black Baptist churches in the area, and there was lots of military stuff (with Fort Jackson here in town). Special tribute was paid to a Marine who died recently in Iraq and his family and, of course, much was made of the death of Strom Thurmond.

There were cannons and American flags and balloons, and pretty girls twirling batons, and several marching bands. The occasion was intended to honor veterans and there were many present. I got to sit in a special "VIP" section ('way up under the upper deck) with WWII vets because of my father-in-law's service. The older I get the easier it is for me to feel grateful to these guys who fought in that war and in later wars. Whatever I may think of the premise of the war, what they endured on behalf of their country is incredible.

I got to stand up, too, when the announcer asked those who served "at other times" (not wartime) to stand. I felt more proud than I thought I might. I spent three years in the Army in the '60's. I was stationed in Germany the whole time and mostly had a good time. Viet Nam was just beginning then - JFK was shot while I was there. This was when the US was just sending "advisors" over there. At the same time, there was an aviation battalion stationed at my post, and they sent all the aircraft and almost all the troops to Viet Nam. They left only enough troops so they could say the unit was still stationed in Germany and that they were not "sending any Army units" to Viet Nam.

In those days I actually thought about volunteering for Viet Nam. At the time it seemed like a way to feel like I was doing something interesting for my country, but there was no sense that it was dangerous. I probably would not have volunteered if it had seemed dangerous, but on the other hand, if I had been sent there I would have done whatever they told me to do.

I realize that the difference between me and those WWII vets is that, although I would have fought if necessary, they really did. When my mother-in-law talks about the things my father-in-law, a paratrooper on D-Day, actually did, I am in awe. And I feel grateful.

So, liberal pacifist that I still am, at this stage in my life my thoughts and feelings about the military, and war, are more complicated than they were when I was younger. Maybe there are others out there who have some of the same feelings.
1:07:22 AM

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