Holidays inspired by wars and military service don’t always sit well with me. Why don’t we honor the people who risked their lives for this country 365 days a year? If they survived their service and returned home to lives of their choosing, shouldn’t they be taken care of as well as elected representatives are, with health insurance as good as what Congress has?
Most importantly, don’t we have better ways to resolve conflict than asking the enlisted to potentially sacrifice their lives to kill people they don’t (and never will) know?
This Memorial Day, I’m not committed to focusing my energy to appreciating men and women who died in honor of this country. At this point in history, I personally don’t find this country worthy of my life, or that of my sons, or anyone, really.
Tomorrow I’m going to mourn other losses, losses which will be collectively sorrowful in a way similar to when an individual life is lost and the void resonates its way to the entire universe, infinity.
I’ll be thinking about the people in this country who will be losing benefits and support upon which their very existence is dependent, in favor of making the ultra wealthy 1% even wealthier.
Financially, at least.
My thoughts will be with those seeking housing, education and health care, all basic parts of the American Dream, no? It shouldn’t be so hard, for so many.
The plight of immigrants (dubbed in a recent Stanley Tucci episode, “new fellow citizens,”) and legitimate refugees* seeking safety, will be weighing heavily on my mind.
Do you know that we have checkpoints in our communities designed to capture and deport immigrants? There was one last week in Cohoes.
Harvard University, which was established before the United States, has been told they no longer can allow foreign students to study there.
Where are we?
Who are we?
I’m remembering when this country was respected for being a compassionate and protective ally.
I’m thinking back to a time when people’s rights were respected and the contributions of all were recognized and celebrated. I’m recalling now lost civility and the expectation of elected officials to observe and display decorum.
On Memorial Day, I’m going to remember democracy.
See you there.
*can we skip the white Afrikaners, please?
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DelSo 