The Business of "Veterans Day"

War is a business.  Maybe that's why a day of peace - Armistice Day - has been transformed into a day of promotion of the military model of conflict resolution by violence. The original Congressional resolution on June 4, 1926 stated that 11/11 "should be commemorated with . . . exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations" and they invited "the people of the United States to observe the day . . . with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples".

 

We won't hear any of that.  Instead on 11/11 we'll hear about "patriotism", "sacrifice", "love of country", and "defending our freedom”.  We'll see plenty of flags and images of young people in full combat dress - good people trained and ordered to do awful things.   

 

I’m an Army, infantry veteran of the U.S. war against the people of Viet Nam.  Please observe 11/11 as it was originally intended.  Violence creates more violence, and violence is the fuel for a very profitable business.