I sort of missed “Veterans Day”.  I claim the right to do so for I am a veteran of the “BIG one.  I do not need a day.  Those who were liquidated in MY war should be remembered. All sacrificial military personnel in all wars need to be remembered.  The practice of reserving one day for this “holiday” is not a bad one.  What is bad about it is that the merchandisers take advantage and offer sales to get you out of house and into the stores.  I think the organizers of parades and the empty churches tell the story much better than the speeches and placing symbolic flowers on graves in cemeteries.

Once there was Armistice Day to celebrate the end of the War to End all Wars.  When will we get it right and banish wars for good?  I am sorry about the types who like to play at war, keep their uniforms nice and clean in plastic bags ready for the next one.  I feel very sorry for those who seem to worship guns and the right to carry them ready to shoot the resurgent population of deer.  Why they need military rapid firing guns to slaughter rabbits, squirrels and such – say, could you tell me why they need those weapons?

There is something so cynical about creating a holiday celebrating all that killing that was the hallmark of earlier wars. It is actually a black spot on the two wars we are now fighting.  I would much prefer to have the striped pants diplomats perform in wrestling matches – scratching each other’s eyes out to make their points than for hoplites to lead the marchers into battle and be the first to be slaughtered while the generals are safe behind the lines.  Armistice Day never really made it although while I was in school we dutifully thought about that War to End all Wars.  Reality broke through and we now mark that day as Veteran’s Day.  The cynical crocodile tears shed for those Veterans – particularly the sub-standard care they receive as time passes – are just disgusting and a crime committed by those responsible for going to war in the first place and then ignoring the returned shattered living Veterans.

I would much rather see a celebration of the negotiations that would result in all nations giving up their military armament (that would cripple major U.S. businesses that deal in manufacture and sale of armaments.)  I have previously added the words of the folk song which says it all.  Here they are again.

“Last night I had the strangest dream I never dreamed before.

I dreamed the world had all agreed to put an end to war.

I dreamed I saw a mighty room and the room was filled with men.

And the papers they were signing said they would never fight again.

And the people in the streets below were dancing around and around,

While guns and swords and uniforms were scattered on the ground.

Last night I had the strangest dream I never dreamed ….”