Oh, Yes, Today's a Holiday...
May. 29th, 2006 07:15 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
redneckgaijinIn the memory of Arlin Bruce Overstreet, seaman, United States Navy, 1968-1970
To the war dead of the United States:
Some of you joined to protect your country.
Some of you joined to seek a better life for yourself.
Some of you joined to uphold tradition.
Some of you joined to change the world.
Some of you joined because you were conscripted against your will.
Some of you fought a war to create a new nation.
Some of you fought to prevent that nation from falling apart.
Some of you fought to make the world safe for democracy.
Some of you fought to bring democracy to other nations.
Some of you fought to defend our national interests.
Some of you fought to sieze land for white settlers.
Some of you fought to preserve corporate profits.
Some of you fought to prop up petty dictators against communist revolutions.
Some of you fought to prop up revolutions against communist dictators.
Some of you fought without knowing the reason why.
Throughout it all you were ill-used and ill-treated by the country whose uniform you wore. Politicans used you to gain votes, then used your deaths to justify their actions. Your officers blundered all too often, frequently lying to you about the danger ahead, using your sacrifice to seek promotion. You were paid little or nothing and then docked for the uniform, the equipment, and the food you used. You were all too often ordered to commit atrocities, and then you were left out to dry when public opinion turned against your actions, while the true criminals walked away scot-free. And when you finally left the colors, the promises made to you were broken, again and again and again.
The wonder of our nation is that, despite it all, the vast majority of you served not merely with honor but with human dignity. You strove to do the right thing, even for your enemies. You protested, you grumbled, but you almost never mutinied, and never once did you turn against those who led you. When you were ordered, you obeyed. When you were called, you answered. When you were asked, you went beyond what you were asked. When you were called upon to lay down your life, you died, with courage and honor.
This country does not deserve you.
For what you have done, for what you have given up, for what you sacrificed for the sake of your fellow soldiers, your family, your leaders, your country, and your honor, we thank you.
May we all become worthy of your sacrifice.
To the war dead of the United States:
Some of you joined to protect your country.
Some of you joined to seek a better life for yourself.
Some of you joined to uphold tradition.
Some of you joined to change the world.
Some of you joined because you were conscripted against your will.
Some of you fought a war to create a new nation.
Some of you fought to prevent that nation from falling apart.
Some of you fought to make the world safe for democracy.
Some of you fought to bring democracy to other nations.
Some of you fought to defend our national interests.
Some of you fought to sieze land for white settlers.
Some of you fought to preserve corporate profits.
Some of you fought to prop up petty dictators against communist revolutions.
Some of you fought to prop up revolutions against communist dictators.
Some of you fought without knowing the reason why.
Throughout it all you were ill-used and ill-treated by the country whose uniform you wore. Politicans used you to gain votes, then used your deaths to justify their actions. Your officers blundered all too often, frequently lying to you about the danger ahead, using your sacrifice to seek promotion. You were paid little or nothing and then docked for the uniform, the equipment, and the food you used. You were all too often ordered to commit atrocities, and then you were left out to dry when public opinion turned against your actions, while the true criminals walked away scot-free. And when you finally left the colors, the promises made to you were broken, again and again and again.
The wonder of our nation is that, despite it all, the vast majority of you served not merely with honor but with human dignity. You strove to do the right thing, even for your enemies. You protested, you grumbled, but you almost never mutinied, and never once did you turn against those who led you. When you were ordered, you obeyed. When you were called, you answered. When you were asked, you went beyond what you were asked. When you were called upon to lay down your life, you died, with courage and honor.
This country does not deserve you.
For what you have done, for what you have given up, for what you sacrificed for the sake of your fellow soldiers, your family, your leaders, your country, and your honor, we thank you.
May we all become worthy of your sacrifice.
