All Posts Tagged With: "Vietnam"
In Their Honor
In honor of those from my home town, Tonica, who served in all of our wars, since and including the Civil War, I’d like to publish a link to my article from last year, Farmboys on the Wall. I will be attending a SF convention this weekend with a military theme where I will, given half a chance, be reading it aloud. Looking it over now, my eyes filled with tears, just as they did when I penned it, originally.
My father, my brother, and my son all served in the United States Army. While I often disagree with the internal affairs of our nation, I understand that a government and its military are essential to the continued survival of any people. Those who believe that violence never solved anything should, as Robert Heinlein said in Starship Troopers, “ask a Carthaginian.” Violence has solved too many things over the history of humanity, in most cases in ways unpleasant for the less-prepared.
There is no person greater than one who is willing to place their body, mind, and life in front of those who would harm another. We must never forget that–nations who do, do not last very long afterwards.
To the living veterans of our nation, thank you. To those who have given their lives and cannot read this, you are in my prayers, always.
I miss you, Mike, every day.