Peeling away the slime
Sticky mess, slime.
Noun or verb?
Your choice. Just be done with it at least for today.
(Is it safe to turn on what passes for news? Dare to converse with people?)
Take today’s date, 11, as a sign: One won.
One as in individual? (It’s the chosen? Rescued?)
One as in group? (It’s a party? Will there be country dancing or leashes?)
One as in nation? (It’s a memory? That oneness fractured as things are?)
Double ones.
Kilmer’s Swamp Root. Pre-1923 answer to anything.
Won.
We did.
Through determination and conviction, unthinkable darkness was shoved back.
It’s Veteran’s Day.
Time to turn from all else so as not to diminish the importance.
National WW II Memorial, Washington DC. The 4,000 stars represent over 4000,000 Americans who gave their lives (Public domain image. US Navy / commons.wikimedia.org)
Thanks Dad – and uncles and great grandparents, nieces, nephews, cousins, and kids down the block.
Thanks to those who struggled with morals and ethics of killing, but could not stand by and watch innocents willfully slaughtered.
Thanks to those who as toddlers staggered triumphantly from handhold to handhold. Only to have that staggering stopped years later during fierce struggle. Those, grown in size and heart – but not in parents’ eyes.
Thanks to those who hold them fast in their hearts even as they must drop their hands and let them go.
Thanks to those who stoically keep silent despite their insider knowledge and inner conflict with political games. All that matters is the higher calling of Honor and Country, indivisible.
Slime and stink belong in a swamp – not in public discourse. (Louisiana Sea Grant College Program Louisiana State Univ./commons.wikimedia.org)
In comparison we, here in front of the TV, seem such a petty pale reflection of your dedication and sacrifice.
Maybe we can crawl out of the slime and mudslinging long enough to re-evaluate what’s important.
Maybe we can turn and remember how
We won.
How Good triumphed.
And how some died to make sure it happened – to make you safe.
A simple thanks.
Hardly seems enough.
F-22 Raptors. Missing man formation.
But know it’s given every single day:
Thanks to those gone on.
Thanks to those who return and quietly try to pick up their lives.
And the rest of you still on duty, stay safe, and come home.
Like you get the “thanks” in person.
Grateful and hopeful,
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge
Related posts about WW II and the Rainbow Division:
“July 4th. The real Father’s Day” Dads went to war – for a reason. Families world-wide were glad.
“Talking Mules, Mines, and WW II” What mules taught soldiers during WW II – and saved some lives.
Photo essays on Military canines: (definitely worth a look – great pictures)
War Dog. Rebecca Frankel’s photos and article. Canines have been fighting along side soldiers for over 100 years.Yes, dogs do jump out of planes.
War Dog II by Rebecca Frankel.
Thanks Phil for putting your particular slant on this Remembrance Day (as we call it). Yes, we say stay safe and come home!
We must never forget. Remembrance Day is important. Kids need to grow up understanding what it all means from the time they are little. Thanks for marching over
I remember. My eldest brother served in the Navy during Vietnam and my father in the Army in World War II, where he and other members of the Medical Corps brought up the rear in the Battle of the Bulge, retrieving all the wounded GIs they could while the German tanks advanced. If only there was no need to keep sending some of each new generation out in their footsteps.
What a small world. It’s very likely our fathers met at one point or another – Dad was a medic on the front lines of the Battle of the Bulge – rescued men and stabilized them and sent them back to safer spots. At one point a general called the medic tent during the height of the battle and said the line wasn’t gong to hold: the medical team could leave, pull off medic insignia and pick up guns and fight, or continue working. Dad told him, “Sir, we have men on the table. We’ll continue to work.” The General paused and said he understood. Dad turned to the others and said “We make be working on German soldiers soon.” and they kept working. After about 20 minutes dad said it was quieter. A call came from command. THe line had held. But that was just the beginning of the battles for them.
Most people don’t know medical teams did not carry any weapons….even when running into enemy fire or behind enemy lines to rescue soldiers.
Veteran’s Day must be more than a shopping holiday. People must remember the World Wars, Korea, Vietnam (it was a war no matter what the PR said), and the current “conflicts”. To forget is to impulsively encourage more
Wow, they very likely could have met. My dad was a Tech-3 Surgical Medic, but I’m not sure in which unit. He told the story of how one officer (fortunately over-ruled) wanted him court martialed for refusing to wear the red cross on his helmet when German snipers in the area were using them for target practice. If he’d worn it, neither I or my siblings might be here today.
Dad was in the 42nd Rainbow Division. He used to talk about how their captain was always battling West Point trained but no experience command about common sense stuff. I went to a couple of army reunions in the 90′s. Fascinating men with stories. Brave doesn’t even start to cover it.
This was beautiful, Philosopher Mouse. Thank you.
Glad you stopped by to celebrate
“Thanks” feels inadequate, doesn’t it.
Heartbreaking for so many. Thanks for honoring those who served.
This was awesome, Philosopher Mouse. For my grandfather, a WWI Vet, my uncle, who died in WWII, my cousin, who served in Viet Nam, thank you.
My poor words don’t do justice. We owe them so much. Thanks for marching by
Got a little misty here, thinking of my dad and so many, many others. Hard to find the words to express the gratitude … but you did it beautifully.
It’s a hard day for many. We must remember what it was all about. Surely the country can unite understanding the sacrifices and the obligations we now have in their honor. Glad you stopped by
Eloquent words, when we look back at what people endured in and post all the wars in the last 100 years or so, we should not forget how lucky we are.
Wars touch everyone. We owe them honor. We owe them great effort to ensure what they fought for endures. Thanks for stopping by to recognize those who served
And what a wonderful way to remind us that the mudslinging should stop, in tribute to those who crawled through the mud – for us! While we remember those who defended us from external threats, we should do what we can to defend our country from the lazy, the nasty and the willfully ignorant without becoming the very people we sometimes criticize.
Happy Veterans’ Day!
Thanks for the perfect comment. We salute them and pledge to see what they fought for endures.
Yes, I’m so very grateful for the people who serve this country in our military. We must support them every way we can. They perform an ultimate sacrifice to keep us free.
As long as the stories are told, they and what they stood for lives. Thanks for saluting along
Wonderful post. Thanks to your Dad too and his kind, and we must remember, not just the stories that we were told, but all the untold and unsung, two-legged and four, all that’s forgotten or been excised form memorable history. Veterans or Remembrance Day is the perfect day to honour the known and unknown.
So many – without thought for themselves – only of others. Humbling. Thanks for marching over to honor them
This was an awesome post to honor our veterans. My grandpa was in the Navy and my cousin is a Marine. I am thankful to those brave enough to serve our country to protect our freedom. I appreciate their sacrifice (if not their lives, their emotional well being.)
There not enough words to express what we owe those who serve. In the face of threat, danger, and horror they stood and still step up to stand. So glad you stopped to recognize and honor them
This is one of the best posts I’ve seen about Veteran’s Day … and in your own style! Well done … and glad to back making my rounds.
What can you say about those brave soldiers? Not enough words to do justice to their sacrifices. Thanks for saluting them.
(and glad you had a nice trip!)
Thanks Phil for reminding us of the importance of this day. My grandmother lost her older brother to WWII. I often wonder how different her life and her families would have been if he’d been around longer. But the sacrifice he made for his country should be cherished and remembered.
I agree with Frank. This is one of the best Veteran’s Day Posts that I have read. Good job!
Thanks for your gracious attention. (Running behind reading due to life…but hoping for calm this weekend to catch up – see ya soon)