The Cost of Freedom

"As we look across these acres (i.e., Arlington National Cemetery), we begin to tally the cost of our freedom, and we count it a privilege to be citizens of the country served by so many brave men and women. And we must honor them by completing the mission for which they gave their lives, by defeating the terrorists, advancing the cause of liberty, and building a safer world. "
-George W. Bush, 43rd President of the USA

These are the words of a man that never had to fight and kill someone in battle.

"Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and not clothed. This world in arms is not spending money alone. It is spending the sweat of its laborers, the genius of its scientists, the hopes of its children. This is not a way of life at all in any true sense. Under the cloud of threatening war, it is humanity hanging from a cross of iron. "
-Dwight D. Eisenhower, 34th President of the USA

These are the words of a man who fought and killed human beings in battle.

The arm-chair warrior focuses on rhetoric and the battle seasoned warrior focuses on reality.

Reality is not patriotic. Reality is survival. How can a species survive if it continually engages in senseless killing. During this holiday, Americans remember their war dead and miss them. Do the families of soldiers killed in battle find solace in knowing these fathers, sons, mothers, daughters, cousins died doing their duty? Do they ever really think about their loved ones in terms of duty?

For me, the Memorial Day holiday, is a time to remember humanity's promise and potential. It is a time to realize that only love can cure the social cancer called war. Only love can increase the peace and someday eliminate this holiday.

"May all beings know love and peace."