Andrew's Blog

The Day After Memorial Day. June 1, 2004

Memorial Day is a day that Americans remember their war veterans still alive or who have passed on since returning from their service, and those who died during wars involving U.S. military personnel.

Being an outsider to the American military landscape, it is interesting to see how involved the largest military in the world is in everyday Ameican life. It is an organization to which virtually any American can join and gain a vast amount of experience. In fact there are many who join because that is the only way they will obtain a college education as in deed many have. However, in these times of the hidden enemy, reality soon dawns as the tabs are called in.

For those who knew that one day they could face battle, they are more prepared than those who joined for a somewhat free ride, to serve their time and then get out. I imagine these to be few and that the majority join because they want to serve their country.

Besides being a vehicle to educate, the military is a engine that takes a lot of cash to keep going. The development of new weapons that are more sophisticated takes years of research and development involving billions of dollars of tax payers money. Here again we see the military being an employer not only by absorbing and educating its citizens, but by fueling the defense sector of the economy. Without the U.S. being willing to spend money on developing new weapons these companies would not be able to survive on their own.

What then does the average American get from the U.S. military? Besides the educational, employment and economic aspects, society benefits through the American way of life being protected from those who wish harm on its people and the world. It is there to protect Freedom and to bring stability to the world.

Should it be left to the U.S. to do this? Well, if only others would be more bold to step up to the plate and do what is right, then maybe they would not need to do this all on their own with a few strong allies. It also must be said that to provide a more balanced view on how having a strong U.S. benefits the world, the U.S should do more to further help those countries that do not have a link to American interest and to pressure them to run their governments for the betterment of the people rather than themselves.

As we remember those who died for the freedom of those oppressed during WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and countless other smaller wars, we remember that there is more work to be done and that more lives will be lost if someone does not do anything to stop them.