Service to the Nation

 

When I saw a photograph of a returning WW II soldier, with a caption describing that the soldier had been gone for over 4 years, most of which time was as a Prisoner of War, with no news of his fate, I thought about the hardship for both him and his family.

I also thought about the courage of John McCain, imprisoned in Hanoi, who refused to be released so long as other soldiers remained in prison.

The courage and suffering withstood by soldiers continues even today, and they deserve enormous respect, regardless of how history and current events view the wars themselves.

 My blog of April 24, 2024, asked "Why Wars?" but it didn't really answer the question.  It was, however, encouraging to know that the training of West Point soldiers includes avoiding wars, as well as how to fight them.

I am sure that those students pitching tents on campuses and destroying property and blocking other students trying to get to classes believe they are doing the right thing, although I am not sure that they are doing much that is constructive. Have they studied history?  Have they been used by outsiders whose motives were not at all aligned with what the students intended.  Have they considered the expense their parents have suffered to send them to college, or strangers who contributed to scholarships, or taxpayers whose money assists colleges?

When they were not in class, did they study the history that led to war?  Before pitching their tents and   joining in the chants begun by others, what did they do to fully understand the history leading up to the present animosity?  In short, what efforts did they take to more fully understand the complex history of this dispute? Were they aware that Israelis were unhappy with Netanyahu's leadership and were exercising political ways to resolve problems?  Did they research the history of Hamas and the mistreatment they imposed to retain power?  Did they consider the broader impact involving other countries in that region?

Do they realize that at least 1.3 million active-duty members of the military are stationed at home and abroad, not to fight but rather to keep the peace?  Have they spoken with any of the soldiers from diverse backgrounds about what they are actually doing to keep the peace, out of a sense of patriotism and civic duty.  Were they as disturbed by the slaughter of innocent people at a music festival, the use of rape as a weapon, the killing of babies, as they were by Israel's response?  In short, did they try to turn their energy to considering the full perspective of the situation and ways that might resolve a smoldering animosity that has simmered for generations without resolve? 

It is important that their generation should care about what is happening in the world, but what do they really know about Hamas and the history of that region?  Did they consider the pressure on Netanyahu by his own people to reduce hostilities with their neighbors prior to the war, or America's efforts to exert influence before this war began.  Do they know the history of the Holocaust that led to the decision to find a home for Jews?  Do they understand the influence of other countries in that region?  

Maybe they do know some of these things, but has what they are doing done much or anything to support America's efforts to find a peaceful solution or to suggest ways to resolve this simmering hatred and maze of conflicting claims to the disputed territory?  

I have done considerable reading, trying to understand and reflect on what might be done productively.  I do not know the answers.  However, I will continue reading history to learn the mistakes and successes of the past in order to better understand the present.  I believe time spent in the library to understand the complexity of this troubled land, reaching out to elected officials to share informed concerns, and voting for those who seem responsible representatives, makes more sense than pitching tents and disrupting classes.  I also see the role of professors to teach, not to advocate--to encourage students to become informed, not to inform them of their own particular opinions.  

As our world becomes more complicated and dangerous, we need great teachers, wise politicians, and responsible voters, and it seems we also need brave soldiers to help us keep the peace.  I know that on Memorial Day, if I see someone who has served this nation, I will thank them for their service.