Sorry it has been a while since my last post. Things got sort of crazy over the past week or so and I have been yet again, quite sick. No swine flu yet, but the media sure is messing with my head about it ;P
Over the past few days I've been speaking to various people about their views on the military. Ireland itself is a neutral country when it comes to the military, which is completely different from how things are in the US. I watched a film a few months ago called "Why we Fight", which brought up alot of questions in my mind. You can watch the full 2-hour film here, if you want to make your own decision. But, ultimately, I wondered what all of the veterans would say to the people who were criticizing the role of the military and claiming that we should "abolish the US military". I myself have never fought in any wars, I've never worn camo gear, I've never even seen war besides seeing it on television. So, I decided to ask a veteran himself (My Father), his thoughts on people thinking that the military should be 'abolished'. This is what he had to say:
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Hi Kate,
As it relates to the US Military I would suggest asking the Captain or any of the sailors on the Marek Alabama what they think. The captain was kidnapped by Somali pirates and freed by the US Navy. Another group to ask would be the hundreds of thousands of Muslim women whose husbands were murdered by the Serbs and then systematically raped . Would the rather the the US and all the other NATO forces not intervene? How about the Air Crew and Flight Attendants of all this nations airlines who saw their work places turned into flying bombs resulting in the instant death of thousands of innocent people.
It is really easy for those that sit in the comfort of their own very safe homes enjoying one of the most free and prosperous nation on earth to criticize the very men and women that make it all possible. They can wander around crying peace and love and we should all love each other.
The question is What are we willing to die for? What if they censored our speech, denied you children and education or carted your neighbor off to prison without trial, maybe just because those in power did not like his opinions or political party? Would you be "OK" with you as long as it happened to someone else? What about when they take you? What if no one cares enough to speak up? What does that say about ourselves, our values, our beliefs and our nation?
I think that most in the military have considered the possibility that they may not be coming back. Especially anyone who has been deployed overseas. Personally I have asked myself those questions years ago. I firmly believed then and still do today that America and all it stands for is worth dying for.
There is a name for those who decide that life is just fine here and they really don't want to inconvenience themselves with the very dirty business of controlling the truly evil elements on the world stage. Cowards is the the word often used in World War Two.
I suppose it is just a coincidence that the US has not been hit by another terrorist attack since September 2001. Does anyone really believe that the US military has played no role in this fact? I would certainly hope not.
Yes war today is not as clearly defined as it was in 1942. Politics and "spin" play a big roll. I would put forth that President Obama is doing in Afghanistan exactly what G. W. Bush did in Iraq with the surge in troop levels. He is also back pedaling pretty fast on his promise to close Guantanamo Bay Prison.
Does that mean one party has it all right and the other all wrong. Not hardly! History will be the judge they say and I think that is a true statement.
This is how I was raised. In a family where your Great Grandfathers were veterans. Don Bryan USMC served in France in the battle of the Marne (look it up) or I have two or 3 books you can read when you are home. Frank Cullen was in the US Navy also in World War One. Both of you grandfathers were US Army during WW2 Frank Cullen in India and Bob Bryan in New Guinea and the Philippines. Your Uncle Bill Bryan USN Korean War. Your Uncles Patrick Bryan and Joe Cullen were in the US Navy and served in Viet Nam along with your Uncle Don Summers USAF. Then there is me (USN) and Heidi (USAF) plus your cousin John Price (USN).
If I ever found myself in a very difficult spot (and I have) I would be absolutely overjoyed to have any of these fine individuals at my back. Ponder for a moment who these people really are. When things get really tough what do you think they would do?
These are all fine men and women that are typical of those in the US military today. Maybe that is the point. The US Military is not just some big organization but a group of America's finest men and women charged with specific missions and controlled by Politicians. They care enough about the world we live in to make sacrifices themselves to make the world a better place.
Love,
Papa (William R. Bryan)
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So, before you take a film like "Why we fight" seriously and before you start abolishing the US military... take the wool off of your eyes and thank your lucky stars that you've never seen war happening on your doorstep. Be thankful that you have clean water to drink, a safe and warm bed to sleep in, and the freedoms that our country was built upon. God bless America.
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