Give It Up For The Soldiers Abroad This Easter?

Dreamers

SOLDIERS are citizens of death's gray land,
Drawing no dividend from time's to-morrows.
In the great hour of destiny they stand,
Each with his feuds, and jealousies, and sorrows.
Soldiers are sworn to action; they must win
Some flaming, fatal climax with their lives.
Soldiers are dreamers; when the guns begin
They think of firelit homes, clean beds, and wives.

I see them in foul dug-outs, gnawed by rats,
And in the ruined trenches, lashed with rain,
Dreaming of things they did with balls and bats,
And mocked by hopeless longing to regain
Bank-holidays, and picture shows, and spats,

- Siegfried Sassoon.



Canada refugee board refuses US deserter asylum
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20050325/HINZMAN25/TPNational/TopStories

Thanks for sharing it.

about the author, from Barlteby :

1886–1967, English poet and novelist. An officer in World War I, he expressed his conviction of the brutality and waste of war in grim, forceful, realistic verse

A lot of terrific writings were produced by people who were in that war.

Have you seen the thread "USA is fecked up if soldiers come back from war and end up homeless..." started by NVMojo?

These posts of mine usually get a respectful silence, maybe thoughtful resignation, so many hurtful feelings surrounding the violence caused by our involvements, maybe it's just my posts don't cut the mustard. Maybe there's a suspicious hesitancy, so many trolls, so many freepers come aboard with similar messages. I remember one case . . .

I'd like to hear some good thoughts put out today for our soldiers abroad from my side of the war argument, my anti-war side. So many soldiers who are serving, more than I have noticed since the ending days of Vietnam, have an anti-war point of view. I suspect that we have alot of returning troops, and some actively serving abroad, as well, who come to DU for inspiration and hope.

I just wanted to express, alongside of my liberalism, my deep sorrow at the state of our nation's humanity in our leader's indifference to even the lives of those they would have do their military bidding. And I want to express my deep sadness that we have been unable to affect our political situation enough to be able to get them all home in one piece.

I'm sleepy now. I just got off of my nite shift and I can barely see. But some shout-outs to our soldiers from my good, caring co-horts here at DU would be a more than welcome sight for these tired eyes, even grudging ones. ;-)

I am a veteran (Vietnam) and a liberal. And while I, in general, oppose war, I am also pragmatic enough to know that wars have to be fought. I can agree both with Studs Terkel that WWII was "The Good War" and at the same time agree with Edwin Starr "Absolutely nothin'". For me, Afghanistan falls into the first category and Iraq the second. But even to oppose the war (any war) should not mean the opposition to members of the armed services. Honor the warrior, if not the war.

To any of our service men and women who might read this: Keep your head down and be safe. We look forward to your return.

i'm going to work . . .

Happy holiday.

Has a whole different meaning to me now. Here's to them.

Thanks for the word. Made me smile. :D