Being a peacemaker doesn’t mean shunning those who sacrifice for us
The organizers of Carry the Load might be befuddled by my endorsement. They might scratch their heads like politicians who get the blessing of dubious public figures and then wonder what they’re doing wrong that their endorsers think is right.
After all, I never served in the military. I am a tenaciously softhearted preacher, always answering for my preachments about Jesus’ command to love enemies, do good to those who hate us, and practice nonviolence resistance toward those who hurt us. I pray for swords to be turned into plowshares.
I believe war should only be a last resort after every means of seeking peace with justice is exhausted. Even then I struggle to feel joy over victory that costs human life. Violence begets violence. Every time we kill an enemy, we seem to create three new ones. Too many noncombatant deaths are justified now as “collateral damage.”
In addition I am for handgun control and assault rifle bans here at home. I think our allegiance to handguns for self-protection ends up with too many tragedies that come from the law of unintended consequences. Our obsession with personal security drives us further from our neighbors, and makes it harder to find common humanity with strangers.
So why am I telling you that on Memorial Day Weekend you will find me on the Katy Trail walking, running, and carrying a pack for some part of the 24-hour event I am commending to you?
I will be there with many others in memory of and in honor of soldiers, police officers and firefighters who have lost their lives in service to our country and communities or who are now on the front lines in harm’s way — whether their theater of operation is a mountain range in southern Afghanistan, or the streets of Dallas, or a burning house next door. I will be there to help raise money for the families of the fallen and wounded who gave life or limb for you and me. I will honor their bravery, their skill and their sacrifice. I will pray for peace while I do.
Our country needs to grow up. We need to stop demonizing those with different points of view, counting peaceniks unpatriotic or military supporters the only patriots. We may need more flowers, but those who weed the bed and protect it from predators are helping the garden grow as much as those who fertilize and water. We are all in this together.
Our nation was conflicted over the justness of the cause in Vietnam. It led to shameful disregard for veterans of that war. We must never be guilty of that again. Those of us who think it politically and nationally unwise to send troops here or there, for this reason or that, should not blame those we send. They are not just serving those who sent them against our will; they are serving us all with all the will they can muster. They deserve to be honored.
We are fighting wars abroad now that we have delegated more to specialists than general troops, the net effect of which is that we are not as broadly or personally affected. World War II defined national service and sacrifice. Fighting fascists with imperial ambitions required everyone’s effort. Nowadays we assume that the pursuit of peace requires a constant state of war, and we have hired professionals to carry that load for us.
Carry the Load seeks to reengage disengaged spirits. It calls us to restore the meaning of Memorial Day.
So, consume grilled hot dogs and a distilled spirit or two. But remember spilled blood, too. Honor those who serve us still, and those whose sacrifice is a load now carried by families and communities across our nation.
Let’s be a country worthy of their service and sacrifice.
