In this world, wars and troubles abound and we as Americans need the protection of our hard-working warriors who must see they will never be forgotten. We can show our support through the celebrity entertainers in music, Hollywood, sports, and television.
I am 87, a grandfather, a retired small business owner, and an amateur writer (my book, End Times Prose and Poetry, is about climate change). I am also an Army veteran, with two older brothers buried in Arlington Cemetery. The oldest was decorated for valor in World War II. At my last visit to their gravesites, I left a copy of the Michigan poet Will Carleton’s poem, "Converse With the Slain". The one that was used at the dedication of the Arlington National Cemetery, May 30, 1877.
There are now nearly 400,000 people buried at Arlington. We must not forget those men and women who sacrificed so much, since the Civil War to the present, carrying out their duty to country. They fought for our U.S. Constitution and our flag, not for a king, a dictator, or an autocrat. Their current Commander in Chief, President Joe Biden, shows them all love, honor, and respect.
Honoring our service men and women is a worthy and decent thing to do. Politically we now see elements of our society turning their backs on those patriotic men and women who represent freedom for all of us. We are duty bound to continue the obligation and appreciation that is so deserving.
To counter those elements in the U.S. who scoff at past recognition of our military, we may want to revisit World War II and how they recognized those men and women in uniform. Fourteen million service men and women were honored loudly, deeply and patriotically. When the war broke out against Germany and Japan, patriotism also broke out as the population sacrificed food, fuel and clothing through rationing. Meanwhile, war bonds were dutifully purchased by millions, actually at a stunning rate. We were able to produce more steel than Germany and Japan combined. We had 68 aircraft carriers, 2,700 liberty ships, and over 100,000 bombers and fighter planes. We overwhelmed our adversaries by innovative production, backed by brilliant engineering and of course, courageous fighting forces. Often the morale of our troops was upheld by Hollywood movie stars who traveled the world, often near combat zones, to visit with and entertain the GIs.
Now imagine if today we had celebrities traveling to Germany, Japan, Korea or even to the many installations in and around Washington D.C. to visit with and entertain our men and women in uniform. It would be a wonderful experience if for example, Taylor Swift, Beyonce, LeBron James, Stephan Curry, Coach Steve Kerr, quarterback Patrick Mahomes, or Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell, were available to boost morale.
In this world, wars and troubles abound and we as Americans need the protection of our hard-working warriors who must see they will never be forgotten. We can show our support through the celebrity entertainers in music, Hollywood, sports, and television.
Would this idea be a patriotic demonstration to help our military image at home and abroad? You betcha!
Opening Image Photo Credits: AP Photos/Chris Pizzello, Kevin Mazure/Wire Image/Getty, John McCroy/Gettty, Justin Ford/Getty, John Hefti/USA Today, Men's Health USA, Kevin Sabitus/Getty, Staff Sgt. Teddy Wade
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