Today is Veteran's Day.
As I solemnly think about all the sacrifices made by generations of soldiers in battle to ensure my liberties, I recognize their importance. Without the sacrifices of Revolutionary War patriots, Operation Enduring Freedom heroes and every soldier in between, our world would be a vastly different place.
We count on our men and women in the Armed Forces to protect us. I recognize the sacrifice and honor of men and women in uniform. Our world depends on a balancing force to keep the peace. Today that force is the U.S. military.
I know that not all veterans wanted to serve. I know that some did not understand the reason for their war, or the purpose of their being called. I know that not every soldier volunteered to serve, but I do know that they did their duty. Some fled to avoid those duties, but some stayed, and many volunteered to serve in one branch or another.
We may soon face another enemy; an enemy that has no regard for human life, even its own citizens. I know that our fighting men and women will serve with honor and dignity. I know they will make us all proud, and no one will ever change my mind.
There are those who oppose military action. I have seen them and spoken to them. They are entitled to their opinions; soldiers have given their lives to ensure it. They have like-minded allies across the globe who have recently led rallies for peace. They are planning another rally right here at Ball State.
They will be there with propaganda like: "No Blood for Oil" and" We Must Be the Change We Wish to See." Those who disagree will walk by and ignore them, and those who have no opinion may stop to watch. Perhaps they will leave in disgust when they realize the irony of a peace gathering in the name of Iraq. Perhaps they will begin to see the side of those gathered. They have the right to speak freely, guaranteed by the blood, sweat and tears of America's finest.
I hesitate to call those who gather traitors. I can understand their yearning for peace. No one wants war. No one wants innocent people to die. Not George W. Bush and not I. What causes deeper inflection is the fact that Saddam Hussein is counting on the protests of those peace-loving Americans to weaken the resolve of this nation and provide him the leverage he needs to avoid disarming. In the end, what do you call those who assist in the agenda of the enemy?
I doubt very many will show for the rally here on campus. At both of the recent BSU protests, less than one-third of one percent of students participated. Unfortunately, the media will cover the rally and it will be front page news. What about the other 99 percent of students who didn't go? Perhaps that should be the front page story: "Vast Majority of Students Avoid Peace Rally."
In America we grant our minority a voice; guaranteed by 226 years of dead American soldiers. But in America, we don't let our extremist element serve as our sole representatives. Perhaps our nation's media needs a reminder of the role the majority plays.
Write to Russell at rlg@temporalfront.com
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