We have army’s with various services to protect our country and a way of life we value. This one day a year that we set aside to honor the work they have done. We usually think of this in terms of dealing with other nations.
On this trip Marlina and I have been visiting a number of places where people struggled, protested and boycotted to defend and to inforce the laws and rights of the citizens of this nation. Their adversaries were and are the citizens of their own country.
This of course is the civil right movements.
The weapons they chose to use were tactics of non violence, sit ins,marches ,meetings and legislation.
They understood and understand that at the end of all conflicts there has to be agreement and acceptance that both side are going to agree to live in a manner that is acceptable to each. It doesn’t matter weather you kill thousands or none,at the end you still have to come to this agreement.
In using non violent tactics a person says I am not going to continue this practice I oppose and I may choose to obstruct the practice by sitting down, marching,etc. I am not going to assault anyone to make my point.
To do this effectively people undergo training in non violence, so they can be prepared because they know that physical violence will probably be used against them. Be it the 4 young men we met at the Greensboro lunch counter, the women who marched argued, sat down for their voting rights, the people who took on the FDA and the healthcare system for care and treatment for people with AIDS, to conscientious objectors in WWI.These were and are veterans for peace.
They most definitely put their lives on the line.Consider a school age child being attacked with fire hoses in Birmingham. Think of what I spoke about at the National Memorial for peace and justice, people being lynched because they protested about their husband having been lynched.
I would ask that you take time out of your day over the next few weeks and consider these veterans. How can we best promote our values and our way of life without resorting to violence.At some point we will have to do it anyway.
Oh yes ,it can be done. May each of us DEVELOP, the courage and methods to live in a world where we don’t need military veterans.
Remember less than 120 years ago most people sure that people would never fly.
Less than 70 years ago most people were sure no human could run a mile in under 4 minutes.
With gratitude to each of you.
Pau
Pau's Travels 
Well said Paul!
Thank you,
LikeLike