Facebook Photo Of Woman At Tomb Of The Unknowns Sparks Outrage

[HereSince1628]

110. God forbid someone laugh at the pretentious theater OUTSIDE the tombs

in these jingoistic times.

I visited the site back in 1974, near the end of my active duty service that earned me Vietnam Service and Vietnam Campaign Ribbons, without other distinction.

What I saw wasn't respect on the part of the guards.

What I saw was theater, absolute embarrassing fucking theater.

I can't imagine ANY veteran expecting such embarrassing attention to stupidity.

I don't REALLY think that a dying veteran would expect a person to guard their grave with a spotless silver butt-plate on a weapon that is entirely for show.

Nor do I think a dying veteran really gives a fuck about guards wearing footprints into a rubber mat on the marble.

I think those dying vets cared about failing their squad members, and not being able to see their families again EVER.

I think those dying vets knew fear and pain.

Do their deaths in the service of civilian leaders deserve respect? Yes.

But just WHO gets to define RESPECT?