Freedom isn’t Free

 

Nathan Hale was a 21-year-old Continental soldier when he volunteered to go behind the lines of the British Army and spy on their troop movements. He was betrayed by a cousin who supported the British and was hanged as a spy without a trial. His last words were said to be: “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” His statue stands at the CIA today as a reminder of his bravery and sacrifice. 

Since the days of the Revolutionary War, Americans have answered their country’s call to bear arms to defend the freedoms we all enjoy today.  The cost has been extraordinarily high. If one counts only the military involved in four wars, (World War l, World War ll, Korea and Vietnam) then the tally would be approximately 44 million servicemen and women who served, and who suffered approximately half a million deaths and over a million injuries. Wars are brutal, messy, and traumatic, even for the victors, and have long term effects on those who serve and their families.  Freedom comes at a terrible price.

A famous verse from World War One was written by a Canadian battle surgeon: John McCrae, in May 1915. McCrae died of pneumonia and meningitis in 1918 

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Flanders Fields was a battlefield in Belgium near the French border but has become a cemetery to commemorate the war dead.  Poppies grew up there after the war and poppies, even now, are symbols worn to commemorate those killed and injured in that war. Belleau Woods in France, was the site of a ferocious battle during the same war. Marines and the Germans fought over a three-week time period to capture some farmland; eventually the Marines were victorious, but at the cost of almost 2000 dead Americans.  It was at this cemetery where a ceremony was held in 2018 to commemorate 100 years since the battle with delegations of dignitaries whose countries’ forces fought in the war. The President had visited other sites in France but was said to not visit this one because he could not use his helicopter on a stormy day. Others said that he did not want to get his hair messed up.  More recently it has been said that he thought those who got killed were losers and suckers for serving in the military and wondered why they should be honored. Jeff Goldberg, writing in the Atlantic, noted that on multiple occasions, including this one, that the president disparaged the troops. According to quotes from staff who were there on that day, Goldberg indicated that the president had no understanding of why America even fought in that war. At another time, on a Veterans Day visit to Arlington Cemetery with General Kelly, whose son had been killed in battle, he asked why anyone would volunteer to serve, ‘what did they get from it?’ he wondered. Many people have reported that he also belittled John McCain for getting captured and former President George H W Bush for getting shot down during WW ll. The White House has pushed back against these stories saying he has provided more funds for the military than other presidents and that he respects the military, but multiple sources have confirmed these reports.

The president likes the military – whom he calls my military, but has little understanding that – even though he is Commander in Chief – the oath sworn by all military members is to the Constitution, not him. He likes to show off tanks and planes, but not wounded amputees. He is less than honest when he claims to call families of all deceased military members and not good with empathy. Many active and retired military members were astounded that he used active military troops to clear Lafayette Square for his photo ops. American troops (aside from the National Guard) are not supposed to be deployed on American soil except in extraordinary circumstances.

From my perspective, I know we need the military, just as we need the police and we, as Americans, should respect their devotion and service. Do I wish that we fought fewer wars? Yes. Do I expect to see our elected officials support our troops? Yes.  To me, that means having adequate medical treatment for active and retired military members and their families, to provide housing that is free of mold, to provide equipment that is up to date and safe, and to recognize PTSD and treat it more effectively without stigma. Along with most Americans I say – ‘thank you for your service’, something which was not said to returning Vietnam war veterans. My grandmother was a Gold Star Mother from WW ll and she carried the pain of her son’s death until the day she died. When the president does not respect the military members who died, he is also disrespecting women like my grandmother and their grief. I do hope that current and former military personnel and their families remember these attitudes when it comes time to vote.  Vote Vets has a powerful ad out about this matter.

Today we celebrate Labor Day and recognize the hard work of many Americans, unionized and non-union. The Corona virus has changed our lives and even who and how we celebrate these days. We honor those nurses and other necessary healthcare workers and ancillary providers such as police, fire and EMT's, physicians and respiratory therapists, pharmacists and housekeepers who brought our countrymen and women through the initial COVID New York City crisis and who are still there every day and in hot spots across the country. It is estimated that more than a thousand of them have died for their service. Now I call upon city, state and federal agencies to make certain that each of these groups is supplied with adequate personal protective equipment to do their jobs and that hospitals get enough physical equipment to provide urgent care. I celebrate essential workers who are keeping stores and restaurants open, transit running, mail delivered and goods shipped, so that we can all get through these trying days. I applaud teachers who had to reinvent their teaching styles at a moment’s notice and learn how to teach virtually.  I hope that they are not forced back into classrooms before we can best provide for their safety and that of their students. I celebrate those Moms and Dads who suddenly found them selves with multiple duties for parenting at home and doing work in environments less than optimal; you made it work by hook or by crook. I worry about seniors trapped in nursing homes who cannot see their loved ones and loved ones who do not get to say good -bye as a result of this cruel virus. I am concerned that the Administration will badger the pharmaceutical industry or try to force the FDA to accept a vaccine before it is ready, so as to make a splash before election day. We do not need another rushed vaccine mishap such as we saw with the Swine Flu episode during the 1970’s. The virus is still very much with us and authorities are quite concerned about a possible spike nationwide after this holiday weekend.

Corona Virus Stats (New York Times) as of September 6, 2020

Total number of US Cases: 6,291,000 Total Deaths: 188,700; new cases: 42,080, new deaths 711.

Maryland totals: 112,557 cases.  Deaths: 3,799; new cases: 772, new deaths: 7.

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan announced that the state was ready for Stage Three of re-opening which would allow churches, restaurants and theaters to open but have reduced capacity in their spaces, among other easing of regulations. Many thought this was done to increase business over the Holiday weekend since recent numbers show a 13% increase in cases. Several areas remained at Stage Two, including Montgomery, Prince George and Anne Arundel counties.

Well, another week has gone by with too much news: A naked black man, with mental health issues and high on PCP is restrained by police and eventually dies in Rochester. Police in Louisville reportedly try to coerce Brianna Taylor’s old boy-friend into saying she was involved with drugs in order to get a plea bargain (he refused). A right-wing protester is killed in Portland and police kill the supposed killer in a gun battle. The president goes to Kenosha but does not talk to Jacob Blake’s family; former VP Joe Biden does go to Kenosha and speaks with protesters, Blake and members of his family, yet does decry violence and looting.  And that is just a few headlines!

How about a look at the panda cam to see how the baby panda is doing?

‘Til next week – peace.