Why does our society and media romanticize service and even go as far as claiming enlistment and fighting in war somehow protects freedom? If anything, you can make the argument that civil liberties are usually threatened and eroded during times of war and conflict. Im not sure how the actions of the military in any of the post-WWII wars the United States has been engaged in has actually contributed to protecting freedom. That being said, today could be a day where society can move beyond simplistic slogans about heroes and begin to really look at the social implications of sending young men off into wars of aggression. Thousands of young men returning from service in the Middle East have come back questioning the very institution they were asked to serve and why they were forced to fight wars against other young men and women of different cultures. More veterans have committed suicide than the total number killed on the battlefields in Iraq and Afghanistan. Are those who dissent heroes? Are those who refuse to fight heroes? Who decides? Men like the late Tomas Young fought in Iraq and paid the price. After being paralyzed on the battlefield, Young returned to the U.S. and became an important leader in the veteran-led anti-war movement. Asked last year how he would want to be remembered, he said: That I fought as hard as I could to keep young men and women away from military service. I fought as hard as I could to keep another me from coming back to Iraq. If service is applauded, shouldnt society also recognize non-service conscientious objection to war as equally honorable? To some, dissent is as heroic as military compliance and following orders. Peace and advocating for non-violent solutions to injustices in the world also involves bravery, sacrifice, and service to humankind.
Posted on: Tue, 11 Nov 2014 21:49:25 +0000