While many Americans will spend this Veteran's day thanking and remembering former U.S. military personnel for their service and sacrifice, others will welcome the free day off and all the Veteran's day sales. Still, others are wondering if anybody thought to offer an apology to the Veteran. From the Vietnam era to present conflicts, some of the best and brightest have answered the call of duty from less than honest and competent leadership. This issue is long overdue.
Considering the fool's errand George W. Bush sent the U.S. military on in Iraq and the Veterans Administration's inability to meet the needs of those who gave their all, its a wonder how veterans can even stand it, when high level politicos scramble for photo opportunities on Veterans Day. Fully aware they'll be soon forgotten until next year, many Vets just suck it up and see for what it is; worthless words.
Thank you for your service they'll say while cheesing for the cameras, but nobody will think to say they're sorry the Vet had to serve. Nobody will ever acknowledge they screwed and promise it will never happen again. When pressed, you'll get the usual; admit nothing, deny everything and make counter accusations.
Given a mission to keep America safe and free, with honor and pride the Vets placed themselves in harms way. Given a mission to make life better for the Afghans and the Iraqi people, the Vets gave their lives, blood and even their sanity to do obey that order. Unfortunately, history has proven, many of the toughest missions the U.S. military were given, were as unnecessary as they were unachievable.
America is no more safer or free than it was before 911. The Afghan and Iraqi people are no more better off than they were before the invasions. In fact, not more than a cursory glance at the headlines will prove, Iraq is much worse off today than it ever was and Afghanistan shows all the signs of ending up the same way. Despite the rhetoric, few missions have ever been accomplished as advertised.
Bottom line: Returning from Afghanistan, Iraq or any of a thousand covert missions around the world, it must be difficult to find a nation at war with itself, as much as it is with the foes the Vet was sent to fight. Since everybody knows the United States rarely publicly admits mistakes, wrong doing or bad judgment of any kind, we thought it might be time for someone to apologize for how the Vet has been used, misused and in some cases, abused from reckless overuse. Podcast Below!
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