The United States observes Memorial Day today. On Memorial Day we remember the people who died in America's wars, from the Revolutionary War to the current war in Iraq. What is the best way to honor and remember who paid the ultimate price?
The best way to honor those who died in war would be to avoid fighting unnecessary wars. By avoiding unnecessary wars, fewer people die in battle so we have fewer people to honor on future Memorial Days. As someone who did not die in battle, I can't speak for those who did, but I can't imagine any person who died in a war wanting anyone else to suffer what they suffered.
Unfortunately our country has done a poor job of avoiding unnecessary war in the past 50 years. On patriotic holidays like Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Veteran's Day, political leaders like to remind us that the military fights to defend our country and keep us free. Which wars of the past 50 years have met that criteria: defending America and keeping its citizens free?
The war that has the best chance of meeting that criteria was the invasion of Afghanistan in Autumn 2001: America was attacked on September 11 and had to defend itself. But if you look deeper, invading Afghanistan had little to do with defending America and protecting freedom. At best, invading Afghanistan was an act of revenge. People were angry after the September 11 attacks, and wanted to get back at the attackers. Since the attackers died in the attacks (if you believe the official account), there was no way to get back at them. Invading Afghanistan was the next best thing.
At worst, the invasion of Afghanistan had more sinister motives. The Bush Administration planned to invade Afghanistan before September 11 so the invasion was not a response to the September 11 attacks. There is a lot of evidence Afghanistan was invaded so an oil pipeline could be built there. Fighting for an oil pipeline doesn't sound as good as fighting to protect our freedom.
On this Memorial Day our political leaders would best honor our fallen soldiers by bringing home our soldiers from Iraq and not invading Iran. It would do a lot more for the fallen soldiers than going to a parade or laying a wreath at a cemetery.
