A young soldier from our modest county seat was killed, recently, in Iraq, and many of our community, no doubt, shared grief at this news and sorrow for his family.
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Our local newspaper today editorialized on this tragedy and the funeral of "...a young man who lost his life in the service of his country," under the banner "Never forget sacrifice of..."
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Trust me, we shall not.
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The editor went on to describe the "...ceremonial procession led by the revered horse-drawn caisson..." and "...a mix of emotions very difficult to deal with as the hearts of family, friends and a community burst with pride and pain together." Then: "Our freedoms are gained and protected by the men and women who put on the uniform and risk their lives to make that difference." And finally: "What we as Americans share today and hope for tomorrow is provided by heroes...a debt we can only begin to repay with honor and respect and a vow that we will never forget."
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These are words better suited to the innocent high school valedictorian, yet to be recruited, disillusioned, killed and mourned than that of a grizzled old editor.
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The tragedy behind the tragedy is that the vainglorious and teary-eyed bullshit never ceases, and our young people, thereby afflicted, march off on the vicious business of evil masters, to the discredit of our country and our history, and all too often to their death and their families' grief.
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The editor writes of pride, honor, and respect. All I feel are sorrow and anger. He is right about one thing: we will never forget.
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But dare I hope, we will one day change?
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.............................Rafe Pilgrim
