Old Weird Ward
Unless otherwise noted, that which is posted here is opinion, which is protected by the First Amendment to the US Constitution. If you don't like my opinions, go somewhere else. Nobody is forcing you to actually read this drivel.
The presumption exists that you can read at all.
That may be a large assumption.
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Tuesday, November 11, 2003
- - - - - OWW's Thoughts on Veteran's Day - - - - -
This is a solemn day.
And also a day of humor.
We, as a society, remember and thank our vets. They sacrificed, at a minimum, 2 years of their precious time. In return, they got sub-minimum wages, and sometimes they got the "thanks" of a country that just didn't, at the time, give a damn.
Fortunately, things have changed. We now honor our vets, and I'm delighted to see it.
On the other hand, we (the vets amongst you all) remember some of the funny stuff about our service (OWW is USN, 1969-1973). One of the "funny things" is/was actually quite bitter, and no longer applies to the folks in our armed forces.
So, here it is:
We the unwilling,
Lead by the unqualified,
Have done so much,
With so little,
For so long,
That we now know,
That we can do the impossible,
With nothing at all.
Or this one, circa 1967:
(To the tune of Jesus Loves Me)
Lyndon loves us this we know,
McNamara tells us so!
I know. Neither one of these is really funny. But it was a way for us, in the '60s and '70s, to cope with the reality of the opinions of our peers who chose not to serve.
Have you noticed that those folks who were most vocal during the Viet Nam era have been very careful to not say rude things about the soldiers, airmen, and sailors who are doing the hard stuff in Iraq? They've been saying rude things about the politicians, but NOT about the folks up at the sharp end.
Oh, and one other thing.
On this day, I'd like to say a big "Thanks, Guys!" to all the members of the Greatest Generation. Especially my Dad.
Dad was an Infantryman in the 1st Infantry Division.
He joined up at 19, interrupting his college education.
Went ashore at D+3, went from Normandy to Germany, and got shot up along the way.
Thanks, Pop. I'm proud of you, and all that you and your companions accomplished.
A nod and a toast to Absent Friends.
Sounds: Amazing Grace (as sung by Judy Collins)
Attitude: Reflective
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