Sorry folks, but this message kind of got to me yesterday and has been on my mind today. I agree with most of what this writer has to say, but I have a problem with passages like . . . . "neglected to serve", and . . . . Any war. If all of our ancestors had "neglected to serve" we would not have a Pennsylvania-Dutch heritage. We would all be British subjects. Any war? I don't believe that deserves answering. The Korean War stalemated the onset of militarized communist aggression and turned it into the cold war, which was far better than what we had just come through. In retrospect, the Vietnam experience divided this country and then brought unity to the country with the realization that our elected officials were not representing our wishes. The Persian Gulf war, . . . . besides the obvious, (automobiles), what would your quality of life be today without oil. Think about that for a minute. Plastics are a petroleum based product, no printed circuit boards, no computers. As for morning and celebrating . . . . It is not a day of celebrating but a day of recognition to those who served, mostly taps and flags at half mast. Let me leave you all with the words of Thomas Jefferson written in a letter to William Stephens Smith, 13 Nov 1787, . . . "The Tree of Liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants". I am proud of my Pennsylvania-Dutch PATRIOTS!! Flame away! Bill Marsh bmarsh@erinet.com ---------- > I respect your husband and the others who did what they felt was right > and served in Vietnam. I also respect the significance of Veteran's Day > as a remembrance for those who have died in the cause of war, as a > reminder of the tremendous destruction that humanity can bring upon > itself. However it is necessary to understand that many who "neglected > to serve" did so in accordance to their conscience, and were acting upon > many of the principles our PA Dutch ancestors would have valued as well. > > I have heard the horor stories of how the Vietnam experience has > affected the lives of US soldiers, and it's not a pretty picture. > Although I empathize with the pain the war has caused, I see nothing > positive in our involvement in Vietnam. It is a myth to believe that > this war, or the Korean war, or the Persian Gulf war have helped to > preserve our "freedoms". Any war, no matter, how it is justified, is > wrong because it devalues human life to the point that it seems > necessary to kill. > > For me Veteran's Day is a time of mourning, not a time to celebrate > victory. ==== PENNA-DUTCH Mailing List ====