D-Day fireworks and a USA soldier interaction

Visting family in Normandy France where D-Day celebrations are happening. It being 67 yr anniversary the celebrations are not as huge as other yrs, but still imuch is something. There was supposed to be a exhibition of 500 paratroopers dropping yesterday but rain and wind made them cancel it.

The eve before was a very intense fireworks display after a day of partying in the town paratroopers came down around 67 yrs ago (watch The Longest Day movie, was filmed on site here about 10 yrs later).

The fireworks were a bit much for me, I who LOVE fireworks. Thoughts of what it must have been like here 67 yrs ago during the bombardment prior to The Liberation D-Day happenings made me think not only about how awful it was here, but about Iraq and Afghanistan and all the USA, French, German military here for the celebrations.

Walking away after the fireworks finale, I talked with a soldier from FtWorth. He said the fireworks "brought back some bad memories" and kept telling me about where he grew up in Ft Worth, what street, etc. He said he didn't mind the rain, it "isn't as bad as it muct have been here on d-day". We talked a little bit more, my asking if he was ok, him saying "we are all ok", my asking him again "are YOU ok"? I told him I wished for peace to which he replied "that's what we're working for" giving a sad smile and he headed off to his camp.

Sometimes military action is necessary, but should never be taken lightly because there are so many people involved who are harmed in so many ways. Why can't people just get along? Why so much need for control, excessive wealth, etc?

fireworks displays. they don't have to deal with the ramifications of the choices they make. that's why i say they should reinstate the draft if they are going to insist on continuing these wars. they won't do it because then people won't just grumble they'll fucking roar. they'd be demanding we get the hell out of there right now. there are so many lives at stake. and then after how many tours.... how many come back and just can't get it together. and the people making these decisions don't seem to care.

make sure their own have some sort of an "out". For people who say they should make a draft with no "out", if you believe that is possible, if you believe those in power could actually pass such a thing, then why not ask instead for an end to the wars? Throwing more bodies into the mix will not help anything and there will be a way for the powerful and rich to get their kids out of a draft.

Indeed, those making the decisions don't care or understand.

the reason people are so detached is that so little of us are making that sacrifice right now. my nephew is in the army and just got back several months ago from afghanistan. i know what you mean though about the people making the decisions making sure they and theirs have an out like dick deferment cheney. i don't want a draft.... i just think that a draft would wake people up enough to say hell no and demand we get the hell out of iraq and afghanistan right the f now. that is one of the reasons they won't do it even though they didn't have enough soldiers. i mean besides the fact that they have all those private contractor buddies who need government money so they can resupply campaign coffers. and give them comfy jobs when they leave congress too. i want them to end the wars. what can we do to make that happen. people seem to be starting to say they want this to happen, but i don't hear anyone demanding it. it's been 10 years now. what's it going to take!

Have a young relative participating in the festivities on the beach today. Solemn festivities that is.

He was a young child during the occupation, the bombardment, the liberation of France from the Nazis and does not like fireworks at all. I wonder how many more children there are now who will never find joy in fireworks because of their being around bombings?