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We Must Always Honor Our Military Veterans Armstrong Williams On the morning of September 11, 2001, a nation at peace became a nation at war. As in centuries past, our nation's youth heard the trumpet of duty and marched off to its resonating call to action. They marched off like generations past to preserve and protect our way of life. They would, as over 2,000 have already, give their lives if necessary so that we might remain President Reagan's "shining city on a hill." Scores more would pay another price: enduring life-altering injuries. Currently there are 19,421,266 living war veterans and 25,297,691 living veterans in the U.S. Approximately 7 million of the veterans have severe and debilitating injuries. America has always owed an incredible debt of gratitude and honor to those who so willingly sacrifice their families and ambitions to give their lives so that we continuously enjoy this thing which is the envy of the world, freedom. These extraordinary young men and women, who were willing to give up that which is most precious to every individual, one's own life, are to be revered forever as patriots and heroes. Yet, disturbingly, some writers and artists believe their tremendous sacrifice is appropriate for cartoons and political satire. I can assure you this is no laughing matter. No living human being today whose family member, loved one and friend who served during war or conflict could ever imagine ridicule or belittling of what they endured when their son daughter, father, mother or relative returned home from battle with these life-sustaining injuries. They know first hand that it is not just physical injuries that alter their lives, but also the mental anguish they constantly endure that negates them from ever returning to the life they left. From Sunday morning comics to late-night political satire, it would increasingly appear that some find humor in disabled veterans. The Washington Post recently caused a firestorm after it published a cartoon that depicts a young soldier who endured the ferocious effects of combat, resulting in the loss of both legs and arms, while Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, in the guise of a doctor, says: "I'm listing your condition as 'battle hardened.'
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The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, along with each of its five members, quickly responded to the inappropriate cartoon with a hard-hitting letter to the Post calling the depiction "beyond tasteless." The letter went on to deride "using such a callous depiction of those who have volunteered to defend this nation, and as a result, have suffered traumatic and life-altering wounds ... while you or some of your readers may not agree with the war or its conduct, we believe you owe the men and women and their families who so selflessly serve our country the decency to not make light of their tremendous physical sacrifices." Not only was the cartoon tasteless, it also was extremely insensitive. We are fortunate to live in a society in which we are free to express our views no matter how ludicrous or hurtful they may be. However, this coveted right is a double-edged sword that, if misused, especially by those who hold status and power within a society, can cause tremendous harm. While the author may have believed that this depiction drove home his position on the war, what he failed to consider are the feelings and sentiments of those who have actually lost limbs on the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan. Had this quip just been about the president or even an adviser's mishandling of the war, I probably would not have been so moved to write. The president and his administration are paid to make choices and we as Americans have a right – rather, a duty – to question those choices. A soldier, on one hand, plays a very important role within any society, perhaps more important than that of the president. Once a soldier volunteers to serve his country, he surrenders his right of choice and enters into a sacred covenant with that country. So sacred is this covenant that the safety of a nation and everyone who resides within it depends upon it. Making light of the tremendous sacrifice these individuals have made in order to take a shot at the administration is not only insensitive but also irresponsible.
So, while many may say that the administration is being over-sensitive to a silly cartoon, I ask: Is that not the least we can do for men and women who give up their right to question and willingly put their lives on the line so that we can continue to enjoy such rights?
www.armstrongwilliams.com
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