SALUTE TO VETS: PATRIOTISM WITH OUR EYES WIDE OPEN

By Juan Montoya

In Brownsville, as across the nation, Americans turned out to local and national ceremonies to honor the men and women who have served in our country's military.

This year, the observance of their service has been heightened by the events in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and by the act of terror at Ft. Hood that killed 13 and wounded 30.

Those thoughts weighed heavy upon those gathered Wednesday at the Veterans Memorial Park on Central Boulevard. Speaker after speaker emphasized the support of this nation to its men and women currently in uniform in harm's way, and those who served in the past.

The names etched on the black marble slabs included some who died in action and others who still walk the streets of Brownsville or are languishing in local rest homes.

Those present may have supported the past president when he initiated the war in Iraq. Some may have not. Regardless, they were all united in supporting the service of the men and women who answered the call.

Many remember that some most our wars – like Vietnam – were started by the deception of presidents who created incidents like the Gulf of Tonkin, phantom weapons of mass destruction, the blowing up of the Maine, etc. Regardless, citizen patriot soldiers answered the call.

But we have grown up a bit since then and we now know that "our country right or wrong" is followed by "when it's right to keep it right. And when it's wrong, to set it right."

After the deception in Iraq and Vietnam, our patriotism should be clear and with our eyes wide open. There is no worse patriotism than a blind one. It allows demagogues to lead entire nations into bloody confrontations for reasons that may not be in the best interests of the nation.

Let's take heed of what U.S. Marine Corp General General Smedley D. Butler, who joined the Marines in 1898 and saw action all over the world, winning two Medals of Honor, had to say.

However, he is best remembered not so much for his military exploits as for his apostasy during his latter years. A statement he made in 1935 sums up the drastic turnabout: "I spent 33 years in the Corps, and spent most of my time being a high-class muscle man for Big Business."

He also said he had been a racketeer for capitalism who "helped in the raping of half a dozen Central American republics for the benefit of Wall Street."

And let's also, when we honor our veterans for their service, remember that when they act on behalf of our nation, they are sent to dominate entire nations and the people who live there. The patriot soldier fights for his country, but at times many must pause and wonder whether the politicians realize what they are asking them to do.

In "The War Prayer," Mark Twain exposed the folly of asking Providence to protect a nation's soldiers against those of another nation. His words, published as per his wishes after he died, should temper our lust for war and blind patriotism because we only have to see the other side of the coin and realize they, too, are praying to the same God.

"O Lord our God, help us to tear their soldiers to bloody shreds with our shells; help us to cover their smiling fields with the pale forms of their patriot dead; help us to drown the thunder of the guns with shrieks of their wounded, writhing in pain; help us to lay waste their humble homes with hurricanes of fire; help us to wring the hearts of their unoffending widows with unavailing grief; help us to turn them out roofless with their little children to wander unfriended the wastes of their desolated land in rags and hunger and thirst, sports of the sun flames of summer and the icy winds of winter, broken in spirit, worn with travail, imploring Thee for the refuge of the grave and denied it – for our sakes who adore Thee, Lord, blast their hopes, blight their lives, protract their bitter pilgrimage, make heavy their steps, water their way with tears, stain the white snow with the blood of their wounded feet! We ask it, in the spirit of love, of Him Who is the Source of Love, and Who is the ever-faithful refuge and friend of all that are sore beset and seek His aid with humble and contrite hearts. Amen."

When I joined the Marine Corps as a volunteer in 1972, I didn't know that the war was started – and ended – for mostly political reasons. I didn't care. But after losing many friends there and thinking about them as I watch my own boys grow, I feel a responsibility as a veteran and as a citizen to question the authority of politicians who would expose our generations to war for reasons other than the defense of our country.

I want Osama. I don't want to invade an unoffending nation or kill its people.