If you know me well, you know I tend toward the pacifist side of the spectrum; I've often said that if it weren't for the absence of music that I probably should have been a Quaker.
In spite of those beliefs, I also recognize that in this human world that the presence of a military is necessary. I honor those who commit their lives, any part of it to national service. My Daddy's daddy was in the Navy during WWII- and apparently there are some rich stories about his sense of humor being present, even when under fire. My Daddy was a Marine and served in Vietnam before Vietnam was a "real" war. His sister was career Army and that career is why I am particularly grateful that someone can be openly gay and serve in our military now; when she was in, that wasn't the case and it made for interesting times. My favorite cousin George is an Air Force Academy graduate who is still in, some 20 years later. His Daddy? Army. Clearly our family has a strong tradition of service. And while I may have not agree with the principles behind our country's involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq for the last decade, I support the individuals who are making sacrifices to be there (and their families, who are sacrificing here at home).
Today I am grateful for each of them, for what they've done, and for so many others who have done the same. I'm also reverent towards those who have lost their lives in the line of service. While it seems to be my annual Veteran's Day musical posting, I haven't found anything that matches Jason Isbell's "Dress Blues."
Labels: NaBloPoMo