Inspire the youth in peace as they would be in war.
I attended the Wicomico County Veterans Day Ceremony this morning, at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, as is appropriate. And with the weather today, it felt more like the last ceremony I attended there at Memorial Day.
What I failed to do was take into account the pictures I was taking weren’t going to format into my blog, although I only took a handful during the 15 minute ceremony anyway. Fortunately, I also maintain a Flickr page where today’s photos can be seen (as can ones of the Memorial Day ceremony.) I particularly liked the one of bringing the flags up to full mast.
The program was simply a short presentation with various speakers orating their thoughts on various topics. These topics were: Remembering Our Veterans, On The Home Front, An Incredible Spirit, A Common Aim, Bravery, and A Greater Discipline. There were a couple of passages that I noted and I think should be passed on, one of which began this post. The other speaks about A Greater Discipline. Paraphrasing, with majority rule comes voluntary obedience. As Democrats grumble but comply when placed under Republican rule, so must we Republicans with the new regime in Annapolis come January. However, I submit to the speaker that respect must flow both ways, and, as it is appropriate to question orders when they are contrary to the goals of battle, so too must we question authority when used in an inappropriate manner.
Unlike the solemnity of the Memorial Day ceremony, today’s events serve as a reminder that the military needs to maintain our respect. The military is an oddity in one sense, though – it strengthens and prepares itself for battle in the hope that it’s never used in one, thus the Reagan doctrine, “peace through strength.” Or, as Metallica put it in the song “Don’t Tread On Me”, “to secure peace is to prepare for war.” (That’s a great 4th of July song, by the way.)
So, from me to all of those veterans out there (including my dad), thank you for your service!
