... but i hate the thought of forgetting even more. ....
The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve
in any war, no matter how justified, will be directly proportional
to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated
and appreciated by their nation -- GEORGE WASHINGTON
"I Hate War"
i.
i hate war.
but i hate the thought of forgetting
even more.
ii.
the words rifle off the screen and
into my eyes: sixteen U.S. troop
deaths this month alone.
iii.
and it's only five days in.
iv.
went to downtown fort worth. on
the corner, a homeless veteran with
sign: served my country. need help.
v.
friend told me last night no one hangs
the flag in his neighborhood any more.
someone keeps burning them down.
vi.
my heart cracked open and bled.
vii.
daughter of/sister of/niece of/cousin of
veterans. these heroes paved the way
for my own military service.
viii.
Memorial Day, 4th of July, Veteran's
Day or when convenient: oh, we're all
for honor and patriotism then.
ix.
where is the outrage?
x.
i hate war.
but i hate the thought of forgetting
even more ...
Amen, Karla. I live within 15 miles of two major military installations. I see military people on every corner, and in much of the traffic, and in every business place. I treat them with the respect they deserve ... the respect I never got during Viet Nam.
Karla,
Well said! A true voice of feeling and truth...we must never forget.
One of the hardest moments for me is whenever I walk though one of those military graveyards, and I've visited quite a few in my time, and see cross after cross, marker after marker, lines and lines of them...Jerry, Tim, Matthew... aged 19, 22, 27, 17... the sacrifice, the loss, the madness, the necessity, the pain for those left behind.
We as a nation have not honored or respected our veterans in a very long time. And that homeless vet you saw is among the ranks of far too many since Vietnam, and today, our Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are joining them - far too many are now losing their homes and can't find jobs. But far too many in America don't even care.
Bless you, Karla. Having been there, I never forget why I hate war.
And I join you in honoring the men and women who continue to fight our wars. -gene.
When I was young I attended a girl scout meeting, of sorts, where we retired a flag. To this day, I remember well the deep emotions it brought up in me to see the remnants of the flag burning to nothing. It was a special experience and one that burned deeply into my heart. When I think of the type of flag burnings that are now becoming more common place, that same place in my heart cries out...but with different emotion that is akin to horror. What is our country coming to??
Cryssa
This country needs another shot from a terrorist group to remember its patiotism, as unfortunately that is the only way we will become one nation again...ed
"i hate war.
but i hate the thought of forgetting
even more ..." So true Karla ,,we must remember to never forget...moving words that hit the pit.
Love,Christine
This is powerful Karla, if its okay with you, I would like to print out a copy and share it with some friends! Powerful message in this one~
In Christs Love
Michelle~
I don't believe anyone who is sane and rational with a heart could claim to like war but...some wars are necessary and that makes soldiers and patriots a necessity. Great write Karla.
hugs
fee
Patriotism shows proud here, Karla...poetry signed by the StormSpinner on any given day shows she has a faithful love of her country and the veterans always in memory...be well...
You are right Karla, so many have paid such a high price for freedom and it should never be forgotten or devalued.
Reviewed by Jerry Bolton (Reader)
Reviewed on October 5, 2009
Nero is fiddlin' / I use that phrase a lot. I have a Myspace site by that name / It isn't that I don't know any other thing to say, Karla, it is just that I am getting very weary of saying it. Just got a note from someone who is a member of AD, and he said he said that he thought I was more rational than I was. This was in response to something I commented on an article someone had posted and my unhappiness with the present administration. I wrote him back that I didn't realize how foolish he was. This was a good piece, Karla.
Karla your words are very heartfelt, even though you hate the war thanks for "but i hate the thought of forgetting
even more..." I hate war too! Words so profound honest and true!
Thanks Karla for sharing and caring, it is so sad that people would
burn the flag, may God forgive them! and I pray that our hearts would be even more compassionate to our veterns, for truly they have paved the way in more ways than one!
love And Prayers
Always!!
Inspire
Reviewed by Peter Schlosser (Reader)
Reviewed on October 5, 2009
I saw a statistic yesterday which blew me away. 52.2% of young workers in this country are UNEMPLOYED!!! 52.2%!!! These will be the new recruits to feed the war machine, the military-industrial complex or manipulated by radical social movements. It's not looking good. I'm afraid this will continue for quite some time. Loved this poem Karla. Heart-wrenching and very well done.
I hate war, too, especially since the enemy is getting away with murder (literally!) while our own soldiers are getting charged! Where's the justice in all of this?? It doesn't make any sense! God help us all! And God help our Veterans and our soldiers; someone needs to stand up and say: "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!! NO MORE!!"
(((HUGS))) and much love, your twin, Karen Lynn. :( *tears!*
We are again pussyfooting around like we did in Iraq and Nam. To not lose more soldiers go with a massive attack beyond the frontiers, where they run with their tails between their legs because the dumb Americans can come over there.
Ho-chi-min did it, went through Laos, Al-quaeda through Iran and Pakistan, we know it, they know it, everybody knows it, and yet we lose soldiers because we are engage on a "peace" mission? Who are they kidding? They kill our soldiers because there is not the military doing their job, they are doing the job the politicians dreamed, which is just a dream, a pipe dream full of marijuana!
Yes hate the war, any war, but if you need to go to one, don't let those hare brained politicians tell you how it is done.
Karla, your words tear at my heart. How can anyone, in good conscience not honor and remember what the women and men in the military do for our way of life. Flag burning and the desecration of the flag still is a federal offense, is it not or have we even liberalized this?
Mark
Armageddon, a fact-based historical novel, is the third book of The First Strike Trilogy: A high-stakes race against time and politics unfolds in this gripping historical account of SIOP-62, revisit the tension of a pending nuclear attack, at a time
Armageddon, a fact-based historical novel, is the third book of The First Strike Trilogy: A high-stakes race against time and politics unfolds in this gripping historical account of SIOP-62, revisit the tension of a pending nuclear attack, at a time
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Be always safe,
Karen
SHOW ME A POLITICIAN - AND I'LL SHOW YOU ... A LYING RAT-BASTARD!
TOM.
Sheila
Well said! A true voice of feeling and truth...we must never forget.
One of the hardest moments for me is whenever I walk though one of those military graveyards, and I've visited quite a few in my time, and see cross after cross, marker after marker, lines and lines of them...Jerry, Tim, Matthew... aged 19, 22, 27, 17... the sacrifice, the loss, the madness, the necessity, the pain for those left behind.
Thank you for this.
John
peace, Carole~
And I join you in honoring the men and women who continue to fight our wars. -gene.
Cryssa
We all hate war, but on the other hand, we shouldn't be so cruel to the brave ones who gave their all. Wonderfully expressed.
Mary
but i hate the thought of forgetting
even more ..." So true Karla ,,we must remember to never forget...moving words that hit the pit.
Love,Christine
In Christs Love
Michelle~
hugs
fee
Love,
Sage
even more..." I hate war too! Words so profound honest and true!
Thanks Karla for sharing and caring, it is so sad that people would
burn the flag, may God forgive them! and I pray that our hearts would be even more compassionate to our veterns, for truly they have paved the way in more ways than one!
love And Prayers
Always!!
Inspire
(((HUGS))) and much love, your twin, Karen Lynn. :( *tears!*
Heartshattering write!
Ho-chi-min did it, went through Laos, Al-quaeda through Iran and Pakistan, we know it, they know it, everybody knows it, and yet we lose soldiers because we are engage on a "peace" mission? Who are they kidding? They kill our soldiers because there is not the military doing their job, they are doing the job the politicians dreamed, which is just a dream, a pipe dream full of marijuana!
Yes hate the war, any war, but if you need to go to one, don't let those hare brained politicians tell you how it is done.
Georg
With Love,
Cindy
Mark