In my 78 years, few have been spent without a war going on. I was born because of WWII. The “baby boomer” generation. The largest ever.
WWII was referred to as “the war to end all wars.” Yeah.
Along came Korea, the forgotten war. American deaths reported at 36,914. Result of the war, a North and South Korea. North Korea is still the most likely place on Earth to start a nuclear war. Seems an outcome that was less than stellar.
And then, Vietnam. The war I am most familiar with. The war consumed eight years of my life, and I wasn’t even in the service. I graduated in 1966 and had enlisted in the army. Most of us young guys did what our fathers did. Serve. They had what was called a deferred enlistment, meaning you enlisted after graduation, got the summer off, with pay, and reported for duty in September.
I signed up to be an operating room technician. I might have seen an operating room, but probably not as a technician. As it worked out, my father died two weeks before I graduated. My enlistment was voided, and I was given a hardship deferment. Approximately 58,220 American soldiers were killed. The result seemed to be pretty much for nothing.
The “Domino Theory,” used to justify the war, was subsequently proven to be false. Countless lies were told to the American public about how the war was going. It was one of those deals where the rich watch, and the young and poor fight.
Then Iraq. A total fabrication of the Bush Administration, using 9/11 as the justification. Bush hailed, “Mission Accomplished” from one of our battleships. Ends up most of our soldiers were killed after his triumphant speech.
Approximately 4,446 U.S. soldiers killed, and tens of hundreds injured. The Iraqi leader was killed, which the Iranian people did not care much about, since he was a pretty nasty character. American companies rebuilt Iraq, at great profit to them, and at great cost to us, the American taxpayers.
Next, Afghanistan, the longest war we were ever engaged in. The advent of perpetual war. After we withdrew, it went right back to the way it was. Not one ounce of change. American soldiers killed, approximately 2,456. Wounded: 20,769.
We once again fell for the fake patriotism, which was nothing more than nationalism, dressed up in a fight, we were told, for freedom. We sang the song and waved the flag like dutiful soldiers lined up in the street, cheering on the craziness of politicians who were unworthy and deceitful.
And now we have Trump, who is willing to attack anyone who disagrees with him. His stellar advice to us, “When you go to war, some people will die.” Of course, but never the generals or commander-in-chief. They remain a safe distance from the killing. Senators, congressmen, the rich, all watch as we die.
The unanswered question is: “For what?”
Lately, the answer seems to be oil. Venezuela, oil. For Trump to likely put the profits into his personal bank account. Iran, oil. Again, to but the proceeds into his family’s bank accounts. Buckminster Fuller stated, “War is the ultimate tool of politics.” Seems as true today as when he said it.
I believe that young people go to war with good intent. Many follow what their father’s did. You were expected to serve. You were fighting for freedom and a just cause. I have no problem with a holiday celebrating their courage and sacrifice. They deserve our deepest respect. No servicemember should have to live on the street. Their courage was never in doubt.
My wish is to end all wars. It doesn’t help anyone but the rich and well connected. It hurts the rest of us.
Bruce H. Weik was a longtime columnist for The Zephyr and is co-creator of Many Paths Galesburg since 2019.
This article originally appeared on Galesburg Register-Mail: A writer’s Memorial Day wish ‘no more wars’ | Opinion
Reporting by Bruce H. Weik, Special to the Galesburg Register-Mail / Galesburg Register-Mail
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