Hello Friends:

As a veteran, I thought I'd weigh in with a few thoughts, especially
for anyone who sees this Veterans' Day as a way to honor the
intentions of America's current war leaders. I served three years in
the US Army's First Cavalry Division, 5/7 mobile infantry. I carried
arms during the Cold War, if you'll permit the capital letters for a
conflict without roman numerals or open combat through 1976-79. I
served to earn a college education and benefits on the GI Bill, and
to continue my family's history of service: father Navy WW II, uncle
Nick killed in US Army, Battle of the Bulge, uncle Ralph Army Air
Corps bomber crew over Germany, older brother John Navy on a
destroyer off Vietnam. Not a single one told stories of liberation or
the honor of war. We could rarely get them to talk about the
experience at all. I was lucky enough to serve without taking a
single human life.

I can't speak for all of my family, or anybody but myself on this,
but my Veterans' Day 2003 bore no testament to the need for war. I
served to keep NATO safe from the USSR. Now Russia belongs to that
alliance. I didn't accomplish that by shivering in a armored
personnel carrier in the German woods through a long, bitter winter.
Capitalism, commerce and competition accomplished the change in the
USSR. Like every armed conflict, at the end the Cold War was all
about the money. Iraq is no different, to me, just more cheaply
executed. Fewer US soldiers patrol all of Iraq than the number of
policemen in New York City streets at any one time. This war's
intentions rely on hubris rather than honor, and that's keeping the
body count of US troops steady.

Within 24 hours of my Veterans' Day, I read two accounts that should
be part of any contemporary Veterans' Day commemoration. These
stories detail the horror of war, and the disease of fear that
remains part of life in Iraq after "Mission Accomplished". Here's the
links

"Buried Secrets, Brutal Truths," from the daily paper in the city
where I left for my Army duty, The Toledo Blade:

<http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=SRTIGERFORCE/ >

"Streets of Fear," from Salon (which asks non-subscribers to watch a
15-second Flash ad to read all the article):

<http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2003/11/12/fear/index.html>

These stories probably won't change anybody's mind here who believes
America ought to be sending soldiers to their deaths in Iraq and
killing Iraqis. But for this veteran, on my Veteran's Day, these
reports reminded me that every war is supposed to be a way to save
lives, but always serves up death, dishonor and atrocities. I pray
for a day when humankind can resolve differences without the massive
death from war. It's something to work toward - and vote toward -
don't you think?
--

Ron Seybold, Editor In Chief
The 3000 NewsWire
Independent Information to Maximize Your HP 3000
http://www.3000newswire.com
512.331.0075 -- [log in to unmask]

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