I think this is a good post for my 1,000th.........visited my Dad at the cemetery......

[mrmpa]

today. He was a 14 year veteran of the Marine Corps. He is buried at the National Cemetery about 15 miles from my home.

I was approaching my car when 2 maintenance men parked their cushman cart behind my van. I walked up to them to ask a couple of questions. There had been a recent article in the newspaper about the maintenance men at the cemetery, and the fact that they were all veterans. When quoted many of these men had said that it was an honor to serve their deceased brothers and sisters. I thanked these men for the work they did. We talked about a few other things and then as I walked to the front of the car, one of them (the Marine Corps vet) touched my arm and said "we like your van". I looked at him, a little confused, he then said "your stickers". I smiled, he liked my Obama Biden 2012 sticker and my Trust Women, protect choice sticker. The vet said "we love the President, not like others we work with." The other man (Air Force vet) said "What they're trying to do to my wife and daughters is insane."

We also agreed that if you want to meet a pacifist talk to a veteran, if you want to meet a war mongerer talk to someone who has never served.

Semper Fi!!

[mahina]

1. Exactly!

Truer words never spoken. if you want to meet a pacifist talk to a veteran- and his or her family.

Aloha

[MADem]

7. +1,000 nt

[NYC_SKP]

2. K/R (nt)

[dflprincess]

3. I'd amend that -

If want to meet a pacifist talk to a veteran who has seen combat. I've run across veterans who were war mongers, but they were men who never saw a day on the front line.

[SunSeeker]

5. I agree, except for McCain. Although he is against torture.

I guess being a POW and being subjected to torture made him realize how barbaric and ineffectual torture was. Maybe if he was involved in hand to hand combat, or saw some of the bodies he had dropped bombs on, maybe he would not be such a war monger.

The only two vets I know who are right wing war mongers had no direct combat: one was stationed in Germany for the duration and the other was a bomber pilot, like McCain, except he was never shot down and never had to see the product of his work--nor see his buddies blown up. He survived unscathed for the most part, and is now enjoying a very comfortable retirement, and had over $200,000 in heart surgery at the VA 100% paid for--all while railing against the "socialists" in Washington.

[alittlelark]

4. KnR ...

[SunSeeker]

6. Your dad would be very proud of you.

I sure am. Hope you had a great Memorial Day.

[TxVietVet]

8. I distrust McCain.

Granted McCain was a POW. What McCain did as a POW was a violation of the UCMJ. If he had been an enlisted man and not the son/grandson of admirals, he wouldn't have gotten the good press he did and he wouldn't have gotten a "free walk" on aiding and abetting the enemy. Just read the history about McCain. Read the Code of Conduct. It should have applied to him. That's why I would never vote for the guy, even if he's the only name on the ticket.

[grantcart]

11. McCain wasn't a very good student at the academy and he wasn't a very good pilot but

when his life was in danger because of his injuries and he was offered a ticket out of Hanoi because his father was Admiral McCain he refused and maintained the code of "first in, first out". No matter what else people think about McCain when his life was on the line he stayed in line in order to maintain morale. If your talking about the fact that he broke under torture, well everyone breaks eventually.

[Dystopian]

9. Thank you ...

...for your beautiful post.
I married a USMC Vietnam vet...
Long gone...
The memories remain.

peace & love to you~

[mrmpa]

10. Peace & love to you.......

Dad was a Korean War Veteran and Vietnam era Vet.