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Memorial Day - by Sebastian Junger (from Borders.com)
This post from Sebastian is from originally from Borders.com.
I did not grow up in a military family and when I was young, I did not
understand about soldiers coming home from wars — or failing to. I only
knew one family with a father who had fought in World War Two, and I
remember watching in fascination as he dug out his back yard and built
a hardened bunker out of concrete. This was in the late Sixties, when I
was six or seven, and everyone was worried about the Russians. He
stocked the bunker with canned food and waited for the bombs to come
but they never did. I remember asking my father why we weren't building
a bunker too, and he said because even if we survived the blast, we'd
emerge into a world that wasn't worth living in. It was better to die
on the spot.
The Cold War made soldiers of us all, in a way. In order to function,
soldiers have to make peace with the idea that they
could be killed at any moment. Children of my generation had to make
peace with that idea as well. I remember not quite understanding the
concept of a world that was not worth living in, but I trusted my
father enough to not want a bunker in the back yard. Bunkers were for
people who didn't understand, I thought; bunkers were for people who
loved their life more than they loved the world.
Because I didn't know many veterans as a child, we didn't pay much attention to
Memorial Day. That has changed. I've spent much of one year with
American soldiers at a remote outpost in Afghanistan, and I've watched
men I know and care about come home and readjust and then say goodbye
and go back to war again for yet one more year. There is a lot of
emotion in this country about the wars — emotion both for and against —
but most of the people who are yelling their opinions on TV or in the
streets have never served this country in war. Most of them have never
served this country, period. The decision to do something on behalf of
other people is a deeply noble one, and for at least one day a year,
the various political voices in this country should honor people who
have done that. It has nothing to do with the war; it has to do with
the idea that there is a higher calling than oneself. It's a very hard
idea to live up to. But one day a year, it should be an idea that the
entire country recognizes and applauds.
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Comment by Clare Rosalind Harrison on May 25, 2010 at 12:13pm -
War is definitely ugly with nothing "HOLY" about it..each side prays for their god to be triumphant..Nothing is new regarding "War" it has been since the beginning and has progressively worsened..I believe in the Bible prophesies>"wars and rumours of wars, earthquakes in divers places, men becoming lovers of selves, immorality, murders" and the list continues..what can be done? remembering soldiers and veterans on one day is not sufficient...Soldiers have acknowledged their "Fate" live free or die..surrendering their lives or limbs on the line suffering mental incarceration and post traumatic disorders, families torn apart from the long durations of deployment>what can I say? I never had anyone involved that I know of in the war>>it is not foreign however as I have lived in Jamaica where every election there are uprisings and people gunned down because of their choices>>being stabbed in a robbery makes me vaguely aware of what could transpire when someone deliberately wants to kill you>>it is seriously not for earthling man to rule themselves>>they have had approximately six thousand years to prove otherwise but each year brings more degradation, wars, sufferings, molesters, murders>>much evil is entrenched in the societies of the world..there is no culture where some sort of war is not happening...The President just sent more soldiers to fight>>when will they stop? they speak "Peace" and sign treaties with recommendations but there is no peace to the wicked who goes to bed but is tormented how to out maneuver others, his hatred rotting inside like cancer eating up the flesh>>I seriously commend all the great men and women of our country who sleep in sand boxes and cope with heat and all the other atrocities they deal with out in the desert>>>I am extremely sorry that you have had to endure wars that were not your making, that the the people who govern us do not know when to keep their noses out of other people's business>>>how many more need to be killed>>maimed>>>? I do not understand the whole concept of War>>>the famous why can't we all just get along? simply does not apply>>so until God sees fit to annihilate all these useless governments and bring one theocratic rule>>all I can do is pray for my fellow humans>>>underground living might be appealing to some but I would rather die and be resurrected than live in a world devoid of beauty, hope, peace, joy and Love>>>have a great memorial day everyone....
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Comment by Frankie Gay on May 26, 2010 at 1:11pm -
Hey Sebastian. I completely agree with you and understand where you are coming from. My uncle was a tunnel rat in Vietnam...i always wandered why he would go back in the woods everyday around dark and would not come out till daylight...I was told as a little boy not to ever ask him why he does that...so one day I did years later in age. he replied, "At night I'm hunting for Charlie, the dark allows me to find him.....". I did not know what else to say or ask, so I just shut up. Years later, my son Pruitt was KIA in the battle of Wanat on July 13,2008 while you probably over there with Battle....the world seems so small to me now.
We need to honor our Heroes on Memorial Day.....when I see people who don't, i just call them Charlie. They always give me the weirdest look...but i know.
I will be driving to Columbus GA, Fort Benning on Memorial Day to Honor my son and hero, at the opening and official dedication of the 173rd Airborne Memorial that was built for all of our fallen. i wouldn't want to be anywhere else. I hope to see you there on June 1st
Please bring RESTREPO to Valdosta GA....everyone at Moody AFB has been to Afghanistan...It would be an Honor to have you here.
Please search Facebook: Playing for Pruitt" or myself; Frankie Gay for all the insight into the Battle of Wanat. i would really like to know yours....
God Speed
Frankie
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Comment by Clare Rosalind Harrison on May 27, 2010 at 12:25am
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Hi Frankie>>>>
I am sorry about your son...what a tremendoue loss>>safe driving through to GA and back....What does "Charlie" mean?>>>I just remembered my friend Richard who is a Veteran>>how could I have forgotten him?..please forgive me>>I am very ill and sometimes my memory fades...Richard has terrible nightmares and sometimes he uses a lot of profanity...but he calms down with Trazodone which is a non-narcotic sleep aid..but he dislikes it....he just began receiving benefits last year to assist with medical etc...funny..spritually inclined.. guy....he drinks lots of 'Sake">>>He was overseas but I am uncertain where he was stationed...I have to send him this website...what a treat it will be for him and maybe it will help his spirit revive by communicating with like minds....
Anyway...Frankie..be good to yourself....so long....
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Comment by Michelle on May 31, 2010 at 9:24pm
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Love the final paragraph--so very true.
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