Passing Parade # 3: To Those Who Travel 'In Harm's Way,' To Also Serve, In Peace

As an opening statement to this submission of thought, translated into words, let me say I am a supporter of the U.S. Military, without qualification or reservation.  I have 2 stepsons and a stepdaugher, that have made a life within it's ranks.  Two of my "adopted kids" have made our Military (notice I capitalize here) a career and the other has been a member of the Naval Reserve.

So, this is NOT a message at all critical of the U.S. Military.

As one of my kids said once, "I remind my fellow mlitary colleagues that our primary job is to kill, or otherwise disable, enemies of the USA."

America is in a value-mode, of supreme support of it's military and whatever it's current mission.  I am advanced enough in age, to remember a time when this was not so.  The "war" in Vietnam produced what is probably, American opinion's greatest "backlash" against it's military, ever.

So as oppsed to what used to be, in the 1960's, '70's and early 80's, I, for 1, will take current American support of it's military, every time.

What I don't understand, is the almost total lack of support, to all the Americans who "go in harm's way," overseas, sometimes to the same countries where our military is fighting, in Peace (Peace, is capitalized here, also).

Drs., Nurses, Paramedicals, Engineers, Teachers, Farmers and all sorts of Real Americans, go overseas to every country on the face of the globe.  They build bridges, water infrastructure, teach how to grow food more efficiently, heal the sick and teach the young AND RECEIVE ALMOST NO CREDIT FOR ALL THEY DO, here in the USA. (I am NOT referring to the Haliburton Corporation, or it's ilk, here).

Where is the support for Americans who help countries, societies and cultures, overseas, often completely different from how they were raised, in the USA.?

You can visit almost any community in this country and see monuments and statues, honoring the military.  In Pueblo, Colorado, on the front lawn of it's local newspaper, there is even a statue of a "paper boy" and his dog.

I have yet to see any monument, anywhere in this country, to the "Peace Warriors," who take their lives in their hands and help those overseas, who are often, most in need.

It is way past time, for them to also be recognized for the wonderful job(s) they do.

Dr. Walter Wayne Hopewell