Whether you believe that most wars are bad, as does Ron Paul, or that all wars are good (some neocons), should have no bearing on how you feel about the men and women who serve.
I fall into the Ron Paul camp. Even during the darkest days of the Cold War, I always thought the Russian people and the American people would have no difficulty getting along and probably liking each other. It was only the governments, tugged and pulled by corporate and political interests, that were at odds. Wars are generally begun because it is in someone’s interest to do so. Typically neither populace of the warring countries is in favor of “going to war.”
Despite my Paulian aversion to big government and their wars, I feel entirely differently about those who serve in the military. They don’t get us into wars, they don’t want to go to war; yet, they dutifully follow orders, even when it means sacrificing all. They are meaningless pawns in a big political game. Yet their sincerity, honor and duty is unlike any of those who send them to war. They are better men than their political leaders.
Whether you agree with or are against any particular war, respect and honor is due those who serve and served. Especially remember today those who died for this country. In a moral sense, they exhibited the best that mankind has to offer — giving all for what they perceived as a noble cause.
Would that the parasites we refer to as politicians exhibit 10% of the honor, integrity and service of those who serve.
Here are 50 Movies to view for Memorial Day http://www.newsrealblog.com/2010/05/31/50-viewing-choices-for-memorial-day/
Here is the wisdom of departing Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates:
‘Enough’
http://www.weeklystandard.com/articles/enough_571610.html