In the US, why have war memorials?
- Thread starter suarezguy
- Start date
No. Memorialization isn't Nationalism. Although Nationalism will use it, will evoke the dead soldier for its own ends, and that is disingenuous. But as mentioned, they're not exactly having a brass band marching around the memorials.
I see that I was wrong about who funded the VVM, but it still seems like an effort to rewrite history (which I find far more disrespectful), even if not done by politicians.
-Almost by definition, if something is exceptional, then its more than the required minimum.
-It just seems like an absurd dichotomy that a memorial for heroes (or for heroic sacrifice) is made when earlier if you had chosen the other way you would have been put in jail (and even to this day some people still despise evaders). How is there not the result that the nature of the choice is obscured?
And I don't think you should have gratitude for those who fight in a bad cause just because its your nation's cause. Defense is important and appreciation is warranted for those who sacrifice for that (although if its forced, its obviously not the person's choice), but many wars aren't about that.
-Almost by definition, if something is exceptional, then its more than the required minimum.
-It just seems like an absurd dichotomy that a memorial for heroes (or for heroic sacrifice) is made when earlier if you had chosen the other way you would have been put in jail (and even to this day some people still despise evaders). How is there not the result that the nature of the choice is obscured?
And I don't think you should have gratitude for those who fight in a bad cause just because its your nation's cause. Defense is important and appreciation is warranted for those who sacrifice for that (although if its forced, its obviously not the person's choice), but many wars aren't about that.
Why don't you share why we shouldn't have a memorial for the civil war, WWI, WWII, Korea and Vietnam?? By your faulty logic, Korea and Vietnam alone should automatically have memorials.
Both were done to protect our nation and our citizens... so why not have a place of remembrance for them?
I will repeat what AlpineMaps said below...
We should look at all the names on the Vietnam Memorial
We should look at the other memorials and remember all those that gave the greatest sacrifice for their nation
Ok...So your blanket statement doesn't apply to the other wars. Your opinion stinks of the same rank and disgusting bile that was uttered by those who spat on soldiers when they came home from Vietnam. Always support the troops, regardless of the war.
I have no problem with Conscientious Objectors, especially in a situation like Vietnam where they had good reason. But in any case, one person's actions shouldn't affect how another is treated.
The people who fought were not the ones responsible for the war. Nor were they treated very well by their leaders. They deserve more gratitude than they've ever gotten.
Aside from that, I also completely understand the people who treated the soldiers badly when they came home. Not only was Vietnam the first war to come into everybody's house via television, but it was an ugly war indeed. Many atrocities were committed. I entirely sympathize with the horror and anger felt by those people. In most cases it was directed at the wrong soldiers, unfortunately, but the feelings were quite understandable.
To RJ and LeadHead's idea that the existence of a draft prompts more respect, I think the most respectful thing would be to apologize for making people to make a tragic sacrifice and end the tactic, but most people think that it's an appropriate tactic, if not for Vietnam than for the Civil War and/or a future conflict.
Why be thankful after the fact that it was forced on some people (and still can be)? Regret seems a better emotion.
I admit that the US's involvement in WWI and WWII were for self-defense (although after provocation, and Britain's entrance into WWI was far from honorable). The others I don't consider to be such good causes, but regardless of what kind of conflicts, memorials for forced actions seem very illogical, even insincere.
First, some troops view themselves as indistinguishable from the mission, and I don't think we should have such respect for them that we comply with their wishes and never criticize the mission. That sort of respect would be a big blow to democracy.
Second, how is that not being biased towards your own nation and ignoring the morality or immorality of the war or mission? Not all missions should succeed.
Why be thankful after the fact that it was forced on some people (and still can be)? Regret seems a better emotion.
I admit that the US's involvement in WWI and WWII were for self-defense (although after provocation, and Britain's entrance into WWI was far from honorable). The others I don't consider to be such good causes, but regardless of what kind of conflicts, memorials for forced actions seem very illogical, even insincere.
First, some troops view themselves as indistinguishable from the mission, and I don't think we should have such respect for them that we comply with their wishes and never criticize the mission. That sort of respect would be a big blow to democracy.
Second, how is that not being biased towards your own nation and ignoring the morality or immorality of the war or mission? Not all missions should succeed.
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NCC1968
Guest
I served (by choice) in the Marines from 87 to 92. If you have not served or have no desire - or have somthing against serving - then you may never understand it fully.
The memorials help me keep everything in perspective....as do the cemeteries.
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James Doohan served:
quote
"At the outbreak of the Second World War, Doohan, aged 19, joined the Royal Canadian Artillery, and was eventually commissioned as a lieutenant in the 13th Field Regiment, part of the divisional artillery of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division. Doohan went to the United Kingdom in 1940 for what became years of training. His first combat assignment was the invasion of Normandy at Juno Beach on D-Day. Shooting twosnipers along the way, Doohan led his unit to higher ground through a field ofanti-tank mines and took defensive positions for the night. Crossing between command posts at 11:30 that night, Doohan took six rounds from a Bren gun fired by a nervous sentry: four in his leg, one in the chest, and one through his right middle finger. The bullet to his chest was halted by the silver cigarette case he carried, and his wounded right middle finger was amputated, which he would conceal during his career as an actor. "
The memorials help me keep everything in perspective....as do the cemeteries.
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James Doohan served:
quote
"At the outbreak of the Second World War, Doohan, aged 19, joined the Royal Canadian Artillery, and was eventually commissioned as a lieutenant in the 13th Field Regiment, part of the divisional artillery of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division. Doohan went to the United Kingdom in 1940 for what became years of training. His first combat assignment was the invasion of Normandy at Juno Beach on D-Day. Shooting twosnipers along the way, Doohan led his unit to higher ground through a field ofanti-tank mines and took defensive positions for the night. Crossing between command posts at 11:30 that night, Doohan took six rounds from a Bren gun fired by a nervous sentry: four in his leg, one in the chest, and one through his right middle finger. The bullet to his chest was halted by the silver cigarette case he carried, and his wounded right middle finger was amputated, which he would conceal during his career as an actor. "
Whether or not you approve or not of whatever mission the troops are on, you have to remember their intentions. They do it to protect the country, and that needs to be recognized. You're never going to have a plan in war that meets with 100% approval.
This post makes me sick. You're making a lot of asumptions here.
I hate war. I hate the way our country tries to impose its will on others through violence. I hate the ideas and reasons behind Vietnam, Iraq, and many other conflicts this country has been involved in. And when I first saw the Vietnam memorial, I broke down and cried. And I pay my respects on Veteran's and Memorial day, and give to veteran's charities. Because the memorials are not about the wars or the politics - they are about the brave citizens, drafted or not, who felt they had a duty, and fulfilled that duty at the cost of their very lives. The courage of the common person is overlooked in the study of history, but it is without doubt the greatest courage of all, and should be honored and memorialized.
