Memorial Day- A tribute to those who served and didn't come back

MEMORIAL DAY 2010- When will we ever learn

They say that we are doomed to repeat the past when we don't pay close enough attention to the lessons that it teaches all of us. Sure, we will lay wreaths and flowers at the graves of those who we romantically connect to the heroism of service to our nation. We will have veterans and politicians speak through screachy monitors about the good life that is surrendered so others don't have to surrender one moment of their lives for others. And there will be parades down our suburban streets led by troops who have returned home to a world that must seem stranger than the one they left years ago. We will grill, go to the beach, watch blockbuster summer epics about Iron men and Robin Hoods who know more about tea parties than any of these fat white guys who diet on vitriol and bitterness on Fox every night. We will carry a heavy place in our hearts for those who never got to realize their youthful dreams because they did not reside at the proper address of social economics and higher education. Both parties will exploit this day to sell their wares to any and all comers, like the wild west snakeoil pushers of long ago. The sun will come up tomorrow and there will be veterans at our hospitals who may not be covered by health care, can't get proper treatment for PTS or night terrors, or came back to jobs that are no longer available to them because time just went on without them and nobody was asked to sacrifice in a manner to feel what they feel. We will wave flags and drive our bumper sticker-laden cars to whereever it is we need to go to pay the bills and forget. Perfectly healthy individuals will bray about "supporting the troops!", but will be nowhere to be seen when their asked to volunteer to serve. Nothing will take a toll on one soul tomorrow that will demonstrate that we have learned anything from this day and the hurt it will forever represent to some families who won't see their child reach their ultimate potential. That is a truly sad comment on who we are becoming in the year 2010 and a clarion call to make our time together matter in ways that red and blue colored maps will never understand.