Veteran's Day. Complex time. I've always been anti-war, and yet I joined the Army. I found a home and family. I lost friends. I saw war's long-term after effects.
I served because I chose to. If you want to thank me, do right by my colleagues. Don't vote for plastic patriots.
I served because I chose to. If you want to thank me, do right by my colleagues. Don't vote for plastic patriots.
Don't vote for people who think patriotism and respect are defined by the presence/absence of a lapel pin, or whether a salute happened with a coffee. Don't vote for people who wield veterans as a weapon while voting against their healthcare and schools and body armor.
Don't deify or lionize us. Do not make us Other.
Veterans are men and women, citizens, just like you. We serve for a thousand reasons, some noble, some personal, some out of necessity, most more complex than any of those. We love parts of our jobs, and we hate parts.
Veterans are men and women, citizens, just like you. We serve for a thousand reasons, some noble, some personal, some out of necessity, most more complex than any of those. We love parts of our jobs, and we hate parts.
We are your neighbors and family and friends, and we do best when you think of us that way. When voting for a war is voting to send a neighbor. When voting for a wall is voting to deprive a friend's kid of a new school. When the tank no one wants is less body armor for family.
Sometimes, those hard choices need to be made. Sometimes, its important enough that you let your brother run into the burning building.
But it needs to be hard.
But it needs to be hard.
So today I celebrate my time that a failing body ended too soon, during which I made and lost friends and family. I both mourn and celebrate innocence lost. I fight the impostor syndrome I found brief respite from.
And I pray my countrymen remember we are their neighbors
And I pray my countrymen remember we are their neighbors
