Each November, school teachers across America host Veterans Day assemblies– and promote the idea that The Troops are in distant lands- fighting for American rights and freedoms.
Growing up in the 60s & 70s- veterans were all around- church, school, Boy Scout leaders, family, the neighborhood, etc. It was all just an average thing. These folks weren’t seen as a separate part of American society.
People weren’t stepping over to say “Thanks for your service” to my Dad- who did time in the Navy in the 50s- but looked just like anyone else out in public.
These guys weren’t lining up for free dinner promotions marketed by major restaurant chains.
Veteran’s Day 2014:
Huge number of comments Re: what sort of ID is proper to get free & discounted stuff-
Where are the veterans who don’t want free meals, discounts, head of the line privileges at the airport, etc.
2015-
I think it is strange that modern American culture sees veterans as separate & different from the rest of society:
Veteran’s parking spaces at Home Depot
There is no possibility that I would use one of these spots.
Meet some veterans who have become disgruntled Re: discount availability:
“Home Depot No Longer Honors all Veterans”
Well done guys.
“Memorial Day Freebies & Events For Active Military And Veterans”
2017-
Undeclared/unwon wars that never end?
0:24
The purpose is to protect our freedoms:
I think this may be some sort of post-Vietnam guilt at work. The guilt doesn’t seem to work towards ending decades of undeclared wars overseas.
Pro sports almost worships The Troops these days. Halftime sports announcers tell us that overseas military operations are somehow about American rights and freedoms.
The worst of it is individuals who claim that Americans wouldn’t have the freedom to post comments on newspaper websites if people had not given their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan to protect that freedom.
Hey school teachers– where did this idea come from? Were US troops sent to Vietnam so that Americans could be free to send letters to the editor?
Is there any case in which the US Armed Forces have been sent to distant lands on a mission to protect freedom of speech?
Is protecting freedom of speech even part of training scenarios?
If The Troops are fighting for your freedom to share ideas on the web- why would you be scolded for doing so?
More here:
Ongoing Militarization of American Culture
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