In the US, why have war memorials?

[suarezguy]

This may be controversial and seem mean, but I think it's absurd to have memorials to the Vietnam war, Civil War, or even WWII since all of those had drafts (most people volunteered in the latter, but it was still required). Since it was the required minimum (or else off to jail), isn't it rather disingenuous to now say that they were exceptional?

I read a student's comments in a yearbook about the Vietnam War memorial and she had, frankly, a very distorted view about the conflict.
I kind of think that the politicians want this sort of distortion so that people forget that the kind of sacrifice that they demanded, and can do so again, was actually mandatory/required, instead we can have happier illusions of our pasts.

 

[MIB]

Erm. Honestly, I don't think many people have forgotten the fact that many of our soldiers that died in war were draftees. Hell, the sheer number of times the "return of the draft" fears were brought up during the Bush Jr. administration is a testament to that.

You could also make the argument that to ignore their sacrifice simply because they were "forced" to make it would be pretty damned disrespectful. We appreciate sacrificing your life and all, but from now on you'll never be mentioned again because people with no grasp of history might think you were a volunteer. With respect, that's pretty f**ked up.

Yeah, as for the girl you mentioned; what can I say other than she's an idiot? There are plenty of them out there and we shouldn't be bending over backwards for them nearly as much as we currently do. Hell, I know a gal who's currently in college that insists that one of the reasons why the South had such an industrial disadvantage over the North during the American Civil War was that beforehand, the evil, oppresive Northern states went out of their way to bar factories from being built in Southern states.

 

[Alpha Romeo]

This may be controversial and seem mean, but I think it's absurd to have memorials to the Vietnam war, Civil War, or even WWII since all of those had drafts (most people volunteered in the latter, but it was still required). Since it was the required minimum (or else off to jail), isn't it rather disingenuous to now say that they were exceptional?

I read a student's comments in a yearbook about the Vietnam War memorial and she had, frankly, a very distorted view about the conflict.
I kind of think that the politicians want this sort of distortion so that people forget that the kind of sacrifice that they demanded, and can do so again, was actually mandatory/required, instead we can have happier illusions of our pasts.

A shame that you have such a limited respect and appreciation for what those who gave all did.

 

[Nerdius Maximus]

This may be controversial and seem mean, but I think it's absurd to have memorials to the Vietnam war, Civil War, or even WWII since all of those had drafts (most people volunteered in the latter, but it was still required). Since it was the required minimum (or else off to jail), isn't it rather disingenuous to now say that they were exceptional?

I read a student's comments in a yearbook about the Vietnam War memorial and she had, frankly, a very distorted view about the conflict.
I kind of think that the politicians want this sort of distortion so that people forget that the kind of sacrifice that they demanded, and can do so again, was actually mandatory/required, instead we can have happier illusions of our pasts.

Because those people died, andthe memorials are a way of honoring them. It has nothing to do with the politics behind the wars. By your logic there should be no 911 or Murrah bombing memorials, because those people just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. So why should anyone pay tribute to them?

 

[Alpinemaps]

This may be controversial and seem mean, but I think it's absurd to have memorials to the Vietnam war, Civil War, or even WWII since all of those had drafts (most people volunteered in the latter, but it was still required). Since it was the required minimum (or else off to jail), isn't it rather disingenuous to now say that they were exceptional?

Not every single soldier that participated in any of those wars was drafted, but participated out of duty. I wouldn't say it was a required minimum at all.

Regardless of whether you volunteered or were drafted into service, that doesn't diminish the sacrifice of one's life in the name of their country.

I kind of think that the politicians want this sort of distortion so that people forget that the kind of sacrifice that they demanded, and can do so again, was actually mandatory/required, instead we can have happier illusions of our pasts.

Seems a memorial is set in place to REMEMBER (not forget) the sacrifice of others.

Have you ever visited one of these memorials? They are not a 'happier illusion of our pasts', but rather somber place to visit. Because those visiting are paying their respects for the sacrifices of those being honored.

When we forget our past, we are doomed to repeat it.

 

[JNG]

Seems a memorial is set in place to REMEMBER (not forget) the sacrifice of others.

Have you ever visited one of these memorials? They are not a 'happier illusion of our pasts', but rather somber place to visit. Because those visiting are paying their respects for the sacrifices of those being honored.

When we forget our past, we are doomed to repeat it.

Well put.

And geez, it wasn't required to die.

 

[ncc74302]

This may be controversial and seem mean, but I think it's absurd to have memorials to the Vietnam war, Civil War, or even WWII since all of those had drafts (most people volunteered in the latter, but it was still required). Since it was the required minimum (or else off to jail), isn't it rather disingenuous to now say that they were exceptional?

I read a student's comments in a yearbook about the Vietnam War memorial and she had, frankly, a very distorted view about the conflict.
I kind of think that the politicians want this sort of distortion so that people forget that the kind of sacrifice that they demanded, and can do so again, was actually mandatory/required, instead we can have happier illusions of our pasts.

How is there a "happy illusion" of those wars? Yes some of those wars are things that are not proud moments in the country's history. But that does not diminish the sacrifice those troops made. The fact they did not volunteer does not diminish the sacrifice they made. It still takes great courage to do what they did.

It ain't pretty, and the fact they died doing that is a testiment to that fact.

Frankly I do find this whole thread disrespectful.

The point is not whether they went off voluntarily to defend their country. The point is that they still died protecting their country. THAT is why we have a memorial to them. Just because they were not volunteers, does that mean we do not owe gratitude to them for their service?

 

[Hermiod]

This may be controversial and seem mean, but I think it's absurd to have memorials to the Vietnam war, Civil War, or even WWII since all of those had drafts (most people volunteered in the latter, but it was still required). Since it was the required minimum (or else off to jail), isn't it rather disingenuous to now say that they were exceptional?

Given that those people were conscripted in to service, forced to fight in a foreign country, separated from their families and then died for the country that made them do it, the least they can be given is a proper memorial.

 

[LeadHead]

I don't think the fact that there were drafts diminishes the sacrifice, if anything it makes the need for a memorial more important. People dying by the thousands, because they had to, not because they wanted to. It's a tragedy, tragedies should be remembered.

 

[rtc61]

One of the most powerful experiences in my life was a winter's evening visit to the Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C. I was unprepared for the wave of emotions that I felt -- sorrow, respect, pride, and most of all a deep-seated gratitude for the sacrifices made by those brave soldiers. Regardless of the 'politics' or 'debate' around any war, including the current ones, we owe a debt to those who put their lives on the line to protect our country in wartime and in peacetime ... and it's right that we're reminded every single day.

THAT'S why we have memorials.

 

[Allyn Gibson]

Why not have war memorials? My hometown growing up had a World War I memorial on the courthouse lawn. I took my sister to a job interview about ten years ago, and spent the day photographing that town's Civil War memorials. I look at a war memorial in the same way that Professor Keating makes his students look at and listen to the photographs of the students who came before them in decades past; the names may date to another time and place, but they were people with lives and cares and concerns. War memorials serve many purposes; they let communities find closure in a symbol of communal grief, they symbolize the shared sacrifice and sense of community. I don't read politics into war memorials. Indeed, I sometimes get emotional looking at them, overcome with grief for people who died long before I was born with whom I have no connection.

 

[1001001]

One of the most powerful experiences in my life was a winter's evening visit to the Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C. I was unprepared for the wave of emotions that I felt -- sorrow, respect, pride, and most of all a deep-seated gratitude for the sacrifices made by those brave soldiers. Regardless of the 'politics' or 'debate' around any war, including the current ones, we owe a debt to those who put their lives on the line to protect our country in wartime and in peacetime ... and it's right that we're reminded every single day.

THAT'S why we have memorials.

I visited Washington DC for the first time last summer. I visited all the memorials.

The Vietnam Wall was almost too much to bear. One thing you don't get from photos is all the trinkets left by family and friends at its base. Pictures, letters, etc. I saw an elderly couple looking for a name, and I helped them find it. The gentleman put his hand on the wall and said "that's our son". I teared up immediately.

The Korean War Memorial was stunning. It was like walking by a garden of ghosts.

I think these memorials are an important tribute to those who served, as well as a place for their families and friends to come and remember.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

Why stipulate "in the US"? Most wars around the world are fought by draftees, or more broadly speaking, by people who really have no choice (such as because of social pressure). Some soldiers are actually kidnapped and forced to fight. There are any number of wars happening right now and someone is fighting in them. You think all those people want to die? It takes a lot to maneuver someone into a position where someone will be shooting at them.

 

[opali]

I kind of think that the politicians want this sort of distortion so that people forget that the kind of sacrifice that they demanded, and can do so again, was actually mandatory/required, instead we can have happier illusions of our pasts.

As far as I know, it wasn't the government who financed or set up these memorials. They were started by loved ones and friends, or former vets, and for obvious reasons. I won't comment on the politicians or their motives since I don't think it has anything to do with the memorials.

Both of my parents were Marines, and it was very important for them to travel to see it so my dad could touch the wall, and run his fingers across the names of the friends and comrades he knew who lost their lives. It was cathartic and healing.

 

[RJDiogenes]

Those who were compelled to fight and died in the process are owed no less of a debt than those who fought and died voluntarily. In fact, they are owed a special kind of debt.

I visited Washington DC for the first time last summer. I visited all the memorials.

The Vietnam Wall was almost too much to bear. One thing you don't get from photos is all the trinkets left by family and friends at its base. Pictures, letters, etc. I saw an elderly couple looking for a name, and I helped them find it. The gentleman put his hand on the wall and said "that's our son". I teared up immediately.

Same here. I visited back in the 80s. The Vietnam War, as something that was ongoing when I was a kid, is something that has always upset me greatly and visiting the Wall was indeed almost too much to bear. I met this guy, and I'll never forget him.

 

[1001001]

That reminds me of this painting, which hangs in the dining hall on our campus...

Gets me every time....

 

[RJDiogenes]

Wow, yeah. And that scene is played out so many times.....

 

[DeeEss57]

I visited Washington DC for the first time last summer. I visited all the memorials.

The Vietnam Wall was almost too much to bear. One thing you don't get from photos is all the trinkets left by family and friends at its base. Pictures, letters, etc. I saw an elderly couple looking for a name, and I helped them find it. The gentleman put his hand on the wall and said "that's our son". I teared up immediately.

Like you, I found The Wall almost too much to bear. I know no one whose name is on the wall, yet found it an emotional experience. I went in search of the name of the man who was on the POW bracelet I wore in the 70's (until it broke). I found it. I had hoped I had missed his name when the lists of returning POWs had been released back in the day. But I hadn't, I discovered. It was a sobering moment.



DES

 

[kimc]

A close friend's father fought in World War 2. He landed on Omaha beach and fought his way across France and Belgium. He was drafted but that doesn't mean he isn't proud of his service or that we shouldn't be grateful for what he and others of his generation went through.

 

[Alpha Romeo]

I notice the OP is absent from this discussion. A pitty...yet not all together surprising.