A Long Overdue Rant

Last week in the United States, we observed Memorial Day. Yes, that's why many of us had an extra day off with pay. If you aren't sure what the holiday was for, this is for you, and I strongly urge you to read on.

Memorial Day: more than just a holiday. That's right. From the late eighteenth century, when Colonial Soldiers fought for the independence that established this great land; the mid-nineteenth century, when the Blue and the Grey fought it out to preserve this great union; the early twentieth century, and the first great World War; the mid-twentieth century, when the Greatest Generation put the smack-down on Hitler and his Aryan dreams -- brave Americans have donned their country's uniform to fight for justice, defend freedom, and further the cause of democracy.

During World War Two -- as in many of these conflicts -- those in uniform were not the only ones among us to stand up and do their part. Each and every American joined in the cause, sacrificing something for the greater good. Gasoline and rubber were rationed to ensure adequate supplies for the fighting troops. As our great baseball heroes went off to fight, the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League made sure that the game went on. Every American sacrificed and did their part.

Memorial Day is a time to remember those who fought -- risking or even giving their lives -- to ensure freedom for those remaining. It's a time to remember those non-military who did their part in support of the troops. It is so much more than just a paid day off.

But where are we today? With troops in Iraq and Afghanistan fighting to protect the world from tyranny, what have you done? Brave American men and women who volunteered to fight wherever, whenever, to defend America and the cause of freedom, have found themselves in this latest battle against tyranny. Did they choose it? No. But they're there because they enlisted to protect you and your freedom. They would be fighting here, on American soil, if that's where the need called them.

The point is, these brave troops are fighting -- whether they agree with the reason, or not -- because that's what they've sworn to do. What have you done?

America was thrust into World War Two by the gruesome attack on Pearl Harbor. Whether you believe Iraq and al-Quaida have any connection or not, it was the attacks of 9/11 that thrust us into the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Was Pearl Harbor any more tragic than 9/11? If not, why were Americans so much more supportive of the troops sixty years ago than today?

There seem to be more reports in the news of protests than anything else these days. What have you done? Have you shown your support of America's troops in any way? Or do you support those unpatriotic, thankless inhabitants of our country (they don't deserve to be called Americans) who have done everything they can to speak out against the troops and their current struggle?

It infuriates me to know that my generation is so outspoken against those who have sworn to serve. If World War Two was fought by the Greatest Generation, an appropriate enough label, then what generation are we?

Joe