A day not quite like any other

[Elennsar]

In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritūs Sancti...

Requiescat in pace.



Dedicated to the memory of the victims of terrorism and of the cruelty of war.

[Michael19103]

Amen.
May their souls, and the souls of all the departed, though the mercy of God, rest in peace.

[unionblue]

And as harsh as it may seem...,

If you would have peace, then prepare for war.

Unionblue

[Elennsar]

An unfortunate and all too often overlooked truth.

But we should still work to ensure that we never (need to) make war.

[ole]

But we should still work to ensure that we never (need to) make war.

A most admirable goal! But we ought not, ever, put the possibility out of our minds.

Our freedom is not free. Some day, it might be. Hope and change?

ole

[Elennsar]

Hope and change.

And may God be with the righteous.

For that matter, may we be the righteous.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhnPVP23rzo

[M E Wolf]

Dear Elennsar;

As far as any history of civilization goes--peace is never very peaceful.
Someone has to be the guardian and willing to protect the peace within.

Although a tear jerker that makes its rounds around Christmas; is the soldier who on Christmas is keeping watch in horrid conditions, so that a man and his family can sleep in peace. And, the one where God visits a sleeping veteran.

But, it was best said in the movie "Gettysburg" where Chamberlain is addressing the 2nd Maine boys -- 'In the end, we're fighting for each other.' Just some are fighting a bit harder than the rest.

Thank you veterans!, police officers!, active military!, firefighters!, EMTs! National Guard! and good citizens!


Respectfully submitted,
M. E. Wolf
[Seven miles from the Pentagon]

[unionblue]

Originally Posted by Elennsar

An unfortunate and all too often overlooked truth.

But we should still work to ensure that we never (need to) make war.

Elennsar,

I only wish it could be so.

Until such time as we can absolutely be sure of what is in men's hearts, there is no other viable alternative.

Until men take on the aspects of angels we are left to our own feeble efforts.

I have served in the military for over 20 years and have found the preperation and effort expended to conduct and wage war some of the most wasteful of man's effort I have ever participated in.

And yet some of the most necessary.

I have often wished, as I stood along side a dusty road in the middle of a division level exercise, how all that energy, money, and manpower could go to building something, rather than practice on how to destroy something.

Like it or not, we have enemies, and they simply do not respect anything other than strength and the ability to deploy and use that strength.

Every soldier prays for peace. Considering the hell of the battlefield and its little regard for the lives it takes, no man in uniform ever wants to go to war.

My heart aches for every young face I see in combat dress in Irag and Afganistan or on guard in countless other places here and around the world. They are so young, so full of life and deserve so much better than being placed in harms way.

Yes, we should consider EVERY option before sending these young men into that hell of combat. Our leaders should consider very carefully how and when they expend these young people's lives. And they will be expended, because battle demands blood, no matter how young, how innocent. Their lives should not be wasted, and EVERY serviceman prays that if he loses his life, it will not be wasted.

But we need these young men and women in place in our armed forces at this time, and as far as I can see into a dark future, for some time to come. I'm glad there are hundreds of thousands that consider their people and their nation worth the effort. That their nation is worth preserving and protecting.

Yes, let's labor for peace and take every opportunity, every chance to keep a fair peace. That's what those young people in the armed services do for us, they buy us old folks the time to find those opportunities, chances, and hopes for a permanent peace.

Sorry, sermon over.

Unionblue

[Elennsar]

A little preaching never hurts. I may mourn for the victims of war's horrors, but pacifism is the purest kind of folly so long as there are those who will simply take advantage of it.

May the great and good Lord watch over all men and women who have fought, with or without arms, to make the world a better place.

Some day, there will be peace, and justice.

But the path will be paved with the bones of martyrs and polished with their blood and sweat.

[PINCKNEYUSMCRET]

As sad as it seems we will alwas need that breed that is willing to pick up a weapon and close with and destroy the enemy. We should only send them however with the intent to gain VICTORY.

Pinckney