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In reply to the discussion: Amazing Photo: Hurricane does not deter guards at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier [View all]freshwest
(53,661 posts)120. A hurricane is nothing compared to combat. Being buffeted by rain and wind, a force of nature, is a
Last edited Fri Aug 23, 2013, 05:30 AM - Edit history (2)
far cry from the tide of emotions that must pass through everyone who has been in the field of battle.The drudgery, the deaths, both friendly and not, the questions of the validity of one's actions and the reasons to train and perform one's duties, are much stronger than being out in the wind and rain of a storm, a heat wave or a snow storm.
I do not approve of any of our nation's adventures abroad, nor do I care for the military budget being the sacred cow that must not be touched, while people who have paid in civilian life to arm and feed and house and care for soldiers, perish. Our world has had this pageantry of the hero forever, and winners and losers.
Each and every war transforms not only the nation conquered, but the nation that does the act. Wiser souls have said there are no winners in wars. Even the Pope has made a declaration that they change nothing of substance, the problems of mankind still remain. All that has changed are the boundaries on maps or the size of war profiteers bank accounts.
We have been coarsened by our constant militarism. It was not the plan of the Founding Fathers to behave how we have for over half a century. Because all those with good intent or desperation, take your pick, depending on the soldier you know, do not profit like the private contractors nor the companies that make the weapons and push for their product to be used. A product that has murdered millions, shredded the conscience of a nation, polluted the Earth and broken the hearts of mankind.
Yet the soldier, unless they are proven to be guilty of a crime against humanity, is as much a victim as those he kills, in one respect. Because he carries death inside him for the rest of his life, has broken the connection of family and life and love for those he killed. The country or vision he may have thought he joined to save, is not what he is anymore, no matter how he tries to make up for it or deny it.
We are children, both men and women. We are easily influenced beings. Those who have time to stand back from the tumult of war and do business, like the Cheneys and others we love to hate, will not be harmed, and they see us as expendables on their bottom line.
There is a meaning in symbolism that is irresistable and compelling, deeply spiritual and mind dumbing at the same time. It is beyond the power of most humans to resist. The scene in the manger of Mary with the Christ child, and other such iconic visions, touch us in an inner place we dare not put into words, that we hold sacred and will defend, to the point of insanity. But I will try to put into words my feelings about this ritual.
They are protecting the Unknowns. A man they have never met, nameless, but a human being and a brother in arms. That symbolism to me represents the country or government itself, which is much larger than the military. The libertarian view of life, is one cares for those one knows, and the all of the rest of humanity one doesn't know, are of no account, as it doesn't help the self to survive.
These men are not protecting the tomb out of jingoism. It is out of a sense of shared humanity, that those who have served in such a way, near death or with death, struggle to find again. Many rituals are this way, births, marriages, funerals, speaking in images what is too painful to express in words.
I don't have any problem with this, but it should not be used as an excuse for more wars and I don't believe it is. Since these are volunteers, they aren't adding to the national debt, or whatever some may complain about.
I have no worries or concerns about those on this duty doing something worthless or dangerous. They are honoring someone who faced the ultimate danger in combat and died from it. They didn't die and are grateful for that. They want to celebrate that someone cared enough to die. Many of us know that some things are more important than our own safety and our lives. There are some things worth sacrifice of many our hopes and dreams to protect others.
Now, it may be argued that the persons were drafted, served not wholly of their free will or well informed opinion. But they were human beings once who enjoyed the warmth of sun and the relief of the rain, the feeling of grass beneath their feet, the love of a mother, perhaps a lover, or the many other pleasures of life. I feel they are guarding those things, not a dead body inside a tomb.
Just my two cents.
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Amazing Photo: Hurricane does not deter guards at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier [View all]
ProfessionalLeftist
Oct 2012
OP
Deep vein thrombosis is more likely if one sits for long periods, rather than standing.
Aristus
Oct 2012
#51
You know, I never served, but I have the good sense to not mock a gravesite.
msanthrope
Oct 2012
#192
Your common sense is not relevant to discussing how the military honors its fallen.
speedoo
Oct 2012
#199
They're fucking VOLUNTEERS! Do some research before you make an ass of yourself!!!
George II
Oct 2012
#279
It is to honor those who served and died, many who were drafted, but all who served their country
still_one
Oct 2012
#212
Respect for those who have died defending not only our country, but the rights we have as Americans.
Hepburn
Oct 2012
#320
No, nolabear is expressing a valid concern for the troops guarding the Tomb
pinboy3niner
Oct 2012
#361
It is a show of respect, honoring the fallen for their sacrifice. The 101st Chairborne
msanthrope
Oct 2012
#31
I guess it comes down to who gets to decide what qualifies as showing respect.
stopbush
Oct 2012
#74
You think these soldiers are marching joyfully to music? Go read the Einstein-Szilard Letter
msanthrope
Oct 2012
#103
I'm not disrescting the dead. I'm disrespecting those who glorify war.
Tierra_y_Libertad
Oct 2012
#122
The 3rd carry fixed bayonets to commemorate Cerro Gordo. I wonder what you would make of
msanthrope
Oct 2012
#191
You are disrespecting a gravesite with your uneccessary commentary. A gravesite.
msanthrope
Oct 2012
#180
No--you are disrespecting the soldiers who are tasked with care of that tomb.
msanthrope
Oct 2012
#229
Honey, you seem to be the only one here who see "glorification of war" in this thread,
whathehell
Oct 2012
#270
Yep--quite familiar with The Old Guard. The disrespect on this thread is sickening. nt
msanthrope
Oct 2012
#194
The honor of these soldiers comes not from patriotism, but from the oaths they fulfilled.
msanthrope
Oct 2012
#185
Well then, I guess you and George W Bush both get feelins' in your gut
DisgustipatedinCA
Oct 2012
#383
I think it is beautiful.... but if it was my decision I'd send those boys in for some soup.
DonRedwood
Oct 2012
#25
Isn't it great there were people who gave their lives so you could say something that stupid
former-republican
Oct 2012
#23
All the dreams, and hope, and promise gone because of miltaristic nonsense n/t
HangOnKids
Oct 2012
#35
I was in the military, but didn't die. Do I still get the right to "bitch and moan"?
DisgustipatedinCA
Oct 2012
#373
O.K., I'll go back to Yugoslavia and Mozambique and re-collect all those relief supplies.
PavePusher
Oct 2012
#355
Yea but we weren't always a global superpower: The Revolution, The Civil War, World War II?
Hippo_Tron
Oct 2012
#179
They did not create those conflicts, politicians did. It should never be taken out on the soldiers
still_one
Oct 2012
#217
How about those who fought Hitler's armies?...Or would you rather be livng under the Third Reich?
whathehell
Oct 2012
#274
Fact is, the US military has done little to "protect the right to free speech" in the US.
redgreenandblue
Oct 2012
#304
If you don't have to speak German and give a Nazi salute at Party meetings...
PavePusher
Oct 2012
#288
But, it sells a lot of people into thinking that killing and dying is glorious and honorable.
Tierra_y_Libertad
Oct 2012
#168
i agree with you. But, there are tons of less intelligent people who join up, because all the
Laura PourMeADrink
Oct 2012
#282
Bullshit. Respecting and honoring their sacrifice does not mean you endorse all wars
still_one
Oct 2012
#223
I didn't notice that until you pointed it out. They probably should change the url name.
Baitball Blogger
Oct 2012
#50
I saw this when I visited DC and I cried. it was one of the most MOVING things I have
onecent
Oct 2012
#13
Really?? I'll be moved when our living veterans are being properly considered and taken
Lionessa
Oct 2012
#27
I'm sorry but that kind of determination is just plain stupid and shouldn't be regaled.
Lionessa
Oct 2012
#26
I'm willing to bet the men in that photo don't feel they are being "just plain stupid".
Throd
Oct 2012
#30
But if you asked them if taking care of their fellow returning vets was more important than standing
Lionessa
Oct 2012
#44
As they are volunteers for that duty they'd probably say why can't we do both. n/t
sarge43
Oct 2012
#57
Because they are willfully representing a false reality. We treat our vets like shit, not like heros
Lionessa
Oct 2012
#69
Would you please post any of my messages where I indicated I believe I belong to a "special class"
sarge43
Oct 2012
#133
What I do is ignore this pageantry and vote for folks who'll do a better job of tending reality
Lionessa
Oct 2012
#239
And often confirming that there is no such thing as unutterable nonsense. Bless their hearts. n/t
sarge43
Oct 2012
#227
Your "we" doesn't include these guys, I guarantee. It doesn't even include MOST Veterans.
cherokeeprogressive
Oct 2012
#264
Of course not, my comments are the disconnect from the reality of how our gov't treats individual
Lionessa
Oct 2012
#283
Except that in this thread, you are the one treating past and current vets "like shit"....
PavePusher
Oct 2012
#291
I agree. The masses get all teary-eyed about soldiers standing in the rain...
Atypical Liberal
Oct 2012
#330
Thank you for fully understanding my point. It's so hard to get the point across
Lionessa
Oct 2012
#337
When I see so many here stumbling while obviously chewing on something, then yes.
Lionessa
Oct 2012
#343
Actually many are putting heads in sand when idolizing such "honoring" unrepresentative regalia.
Lionessa
Oct 2012
#375
How is getting rid of a couple of measly guards going to solve our veterans' mess?
kestrel91316
Oct 2012
#64
Absolutely true, but to mention the military aspect is taboo, as this thread proves.
Lionessa
Oct 2012
#242
Yet this is one example of our government honoring its debt to those who served
pinboy3niner
Oct 2012
#310
You know, it is possible to make a point here on DU without being a dick about it.
eggplant
Oct 2012
#129
Where in the DU terms of service does it say that ridiculing soldiers is expected?
lumberjack_jeff
Oct 2012
#142
Every member of the armed forces swears or affirms to preserve, protect and defend the constitution.
sarge43
Oct 2012
#221
"(C)eremonies for those who accepted shaming and jail time for resisting the draft"?
pinboy3niner
Oct 2012
#325
I'll spell it out for you: we VN vets had the utmost respect for that draft-dodging teacher
pinboy3niner
Oct 2012
#368
Man, after reading a few of your posts, you sure don't sound like a Proud American
ChillZilla
Oct 2012
#389
Yeah, a number of posters decided to dress as soldier-spitting stereotypes
Union Scribe
Oct 2012
#306
In 2020 We are gonna learn that it was Hoffa under there the whole time. #JokesOnUs
bigregg4838
Oct 2012
#72
You were wrong. Prior to reading your post #118, the response I had in mind to you would have ...
11 Bravo
Oct 2012
#130
My dad lied about his age so that he could enlist in the Navy in 1934 at 15 to get out of poverty
slackmaster
Oct 2012
#121
Throd's post is an meant as an example of "Things I learned on DU..." sarcasm
slackmaster
Oct 2012
#131
A hurricane is nothing compared to combat. Being buffeted by rain and wind, a force of nature, is a
freshwest
Oct 2012
#120
Thanks for your post, too. We're all at different places, let's seek the best always.
freshwest
Oct 2012
#251
Since I was an early critic on this thread I want to say I utterly respect the tomb and symbolism.
nolabear
Oct 2012
#132
This is a symbol of the honor and respect due to those Americans who have fallen in battle and ....
OldDem2012
Oct 2012
#181
Just so everyone knows, there's no hurricane force winds in the DC metro area just yet
Hippo_Tron
Oct 2012
#186
I don't care if the pic's debunked. It still reminds me of something else to be grateful for.
Bucky
Oct 2012
#247
I can't believe some of the disrespectful crap I have seen posted on this thread.
4bucksagallon
Oct 2012
#302
My sons best friend from high school serves in that guard. Wonderful young man and...
ourbluenation
Oct 2012
#326