Writes Eric Morris:
My Catholic Diocese, Lafayette, Indiana, is all aboard worshiping the Merchants of Death. The diocesan newspaper is honoring those “fighting for our country” next month. Below is what I wrote the editor.
Dear Editor:
I am greatly disappointed by your announcement on the cover of the October 20 issue.
- It is “Veterans Day”, no apostrophe.
- It was originally Armistice Day, and is still defined as “a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace”, not fighting.
- It is not meant to honor in any way current members of the military (“fighting”), but Title 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations defines a veteran as “a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable.”
- Armed Forces Day is the time to recognize those currently in the military.
- Please explain how, in what way, any current “fighting” is benefiting our country (“fighting for our country”). This bothers me to no end. Do you know why Osama bin Laden attacked the US? He stated explicitly it was the actions (“fighting”) of the US military in the Middle East in the 1990s.
- I am a combat veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. It brought no freedom to the Iraqi people, or you, or me.
We are meant to be counter-cultural and worship the Prince of Peace, not to knee-jerk support the military policy and actions of the US or any other government. The wide world will be falling all over themselves “supporting the troops” on November 11. What would Jesus do? Maybe, just maybe, he would look at each one of us veterans individually, try to understand our personal reasons for joining, and the struggles, successes, and failures in the aftermath thereof.
Sincerely,
Eric S. Morris
St. Elizabeth Seton, Carmel
