The coffee was steaming in my cup at the Dennys counter. The sun was starting to peek above the horizon over the Pecos river west of town. All of the usual crowd was either gone or weren’t stopping on the way to work because of the day off. I was chatting with the waiter while he rolled silverware and watched the clock. The early morning waitress was late as usual and he couldn’t leave until she relieved him. We both looked at the door when it opened but it wasn’t her. A man I had never seen before came in and took a seat 3 stools down from me.

“Happy Memorial Day”, he greeted us.

WRONG!!! It’s usually best to not piss me off early in the morning. Especially when I have had a rough night full of pain. But he charged forward with his exuberant chatter about the family bar-b-que he was headed to. How he had a three day weekend and was celebrating. Wondering what time the stores started selling beer here because he was in charge of the alcohol for the party. Very up beat and bubbly he repeated his “Happy Memorial Day” greeting when the dishwasher came out from the back.

I asked the man if he had any relatives who would be absent because they were serving in our armed services. He didn’t. I then asked him if he had any family members who had died serving the country. He didn’t. I asked him if he knew how many U.S.soldiers had died so far in Iraq. He didn’t so I told him that the official numbers were approaching 4100.

My rant started then. I told him that Memorial Day was a day set aside to remember those who have fallen while struggling to preserve his freedom. A day to remember the troops killed in Iraq, Afghanistan and all other wars in our nations history. I reminded him that every soldier slain had a family at home who wouldn’t be having a “Happy” Memorial Day. I told him that his wishes brought hurt and pain to those who are home wishing their son or daughter could be home.  I let him know how insensitive his greeting was and how I didn’t feel this day was meant to be a celebration. I made sure he knew that memorializing our fallen Americans was the true meaning of the day.

He paid his bill and asked the waiter to make his order to go.

He went and stood by the door to wait for the cook to finish cooking his breakfast.

I guess I’m not much of a people person when it comes to matters like this.

I remember why we have this day. I remember all too well.

Thanks to all of you who have served. My best wishes go to all of the families who have lost loved ones who were defending my freedom.

What with Georgie giving up his golf game to show solidarity with the soldiers serving in his war based on lies I have been thinking a bit. The false solidarity he claims as he continues to put the troops in dangerous places without giving them a break back home between “stop loss” tours in Iraq. Yeah, the soldiers he is solid with as they wait over two years to receive disability benefits after being torn apart from roadside bombs. That closeness he feels with the mothers whose soldier son or daughter sacrificed their life being respected by giving up a game.

But wait a minute. Didn’t every soldier sign up to defend our country from those who would take our freedom away? No matter how you feel about the war our men and women are fighting in Iraq, each of them are defenders of our safe place to play some cow pasture pool.  I can’t speak for the soldiers but I believe they would encourage all Americans, including the president, to golf. Right out there in the open where everybody can see them. Free to play a silly game chasing a little ball around grassy fields then hanging out with friends and sharing cocktails at the clubhouse at the end of the game. One of the good things in life that every soldier believes he or she is fighting to preserve.

So, with my doctors approval, I think I am going to take up golfing. To show real solidarity with the troops who are sacrificing everything to make sure I can.

Robert Reid of the associated press says 4 more soldiers were killed today to bring the death toll of American soldiers in Iraq to
4000.

The reports of Shi’ite’s firing into the green zone are further indications that the surge isn’t working where the extra troops are concentrated.

I haven’t been posting much this past week. I have never written anything as draining as the post from Wednesdays blogswarm. The reports of the lost soldiers make me cry again. Damn! Bushco’s liars don’t really seem to care.

It’s time to bring our troops home. No more should have to die. Not for the reasons they are dying, thats for sure.

Remember McSame and his suggestion for 100 more years? At the rate of 4000 every five years that would average to at least 80,000 lives for a war based on lies. Such a shame.

As is my morning tradition when I can’t sleep I walked to the Dennys a couple of blocks away for a few cups of java and some conversation with the very early morning crowd of Roswaliens. The coffee is ok and the ambiance is plastic but I love the graveyard waitress and the mentally handicapped busboy. I am considered one of the regulars there and have become friendly with quite a few of the regular morning coffee drinkers over the past year and a half. Farm hands and construction workers. The folks who are changing shifts at the nearby hospital and truckdrivers getting ready for the days grind. Lots of salt of the earth regular folks. Needles to say diverse on their outlook on life and politics. Good folks all of them. Most are friendly and fun but there are some who are just cranky, no matter what the topic of the moment is. One of the cranky guys is Steve.

Steve is a devout Christian and Marine veteran, a lifer who was forced out after 25 years and a knee injury. He is my age, just turned 50 in January, and as such he never saw combat during his military career. Just a bit too young for Viet Nam and too old for any of the Afghanistan/Iraq wars. Even so he is a blind patriot to the Bush administrations definitions of what a patriot is. Supporting the administrations policies without question is how he supports our troops and country. One of the less than 30% who still give Bush a thumbs up. “America, Right or Wrong”, is his creedo.

The counter conversation turned to the mistreatment of returning war vets who are being ignored by the Veterans Administration and the government. Jay, a dairy farmer and Korea War veteran, and I were talking when Steve interrupted us with his crap about how those who don’t support the presidents policies are the ones who truly don’t support the troops. If we questioned the administration then we were wishing harm to the soldiers. That kind of bullshit….you know the rap. He told me, “You aren’t an American”.

Jay, who is quiet and non confrontational, got silent and turned away. Not saying anything we could tell that he was angry. Jessie, our waitress, laughed and teased him about how his ears were turning red. He tried to smile and fall into conversation with her. About the coffee and how it seemed different than when he first started going to Dennys. They both knew that Steve’s comment would not be taken well by this old longhaired “hippie’. They knew that a trucker who carried supplies to keep this country running wouldn’t have his patriotism attacked. They know the difference between how I feel about this war I despise and the soldiers whom I respect and love.  How I want to keep exposing the lies that got our troops into the war and how each soldier who is wounded or killed because of those lies hurts me personally. They fell quiet while I boiled inside.

The words accusing me of not being a patriot burned in my head. Telling me that my beliefs and opinions made me less of an American than he was burned in my heart…and stomach. Then I got mad. What Jessie and Jay were sure was coming actually did. I started in on Steve starting with how questioning the governments tyranny was the first American patrioticic act. Folks tired of the way they were being governed took up arms and fought, some dying, for their desire to be free.

Questioning the leaders has always been a way of life in The United States. Demanding the government, that we pay for, to be accountable is the noblest part of being a patriotic American, and our duty. Over the years the people have made great changes because of their speaking against policies and laws. 200 plus years ago the people achieved freedom from an outside government by fighting for the populations desires. 150 years ago slavery was made illegal because the people questioned. In the 20th century many voices got louder and made the government change laws that gave more “equal” rights to the people of our land. People marching in the streets, voicing their dissatisfaction with the leaders, got things done. Women got to vote because they voiced their questions. People of color became a strong voice, questioning.  When the American people finally had enough they screamed their dissent from the streets and ended the Viet Nam war. No 100 year occupation because the people wouldn’t allow it.

I continued my heated rant by telling him that the man he worships as God was a patriot as well. Jesus Christ was killed by the government in his land because he spoke out against the way they were treating his people. They gave him a trial and sentenced him to death. Because he was strong enough to question the government.

I was feeling conspicuous  because my indignancy was making my voice raise. I got quiet for a moment then reached for my jacket. Steve didn’t say anything as I put the tip next to my half finished cup of coffee. Everyone around was silent. I almost felt bad for scolding this man in front of so many folks. He looked at Jessie and told her to put my coffee on his tab. Thanking him I turned to leave. I realized this was his way of apologizing for accusing me of being un-American. Instead of walking away I felt I needed to make one thing sure. I turned back and looked him in the eye. Calmly I told him what I tell anyone who questions me and my vocal opinion of the way the VA and Pentagon are treating the troops.

“Never say I am not a patriot. Because I question I am a true American.”

I turned and walked out knowing that the next time I see him we will be friendly again.

All is well in my part Roswell.

According to Time magazine 1 in 5 returning Iraq war vets have brain injuries.Most of these aren’t recognized bu the Veterans Administration as war injuries.

We need to demand our troops be returned home where they belong.
Mike The Mad Biologist has the story.

While those in Washington are half steppin’ around the issues like selling arms to the Saudi’s and the people who are crossing the lazy Rio Grandio there is a bigger issue that is being neglected. While they say it, these very politicians are doing nothing that even resembles support for our troops.
Extended tours of duty. Redeploying soldiers after they have already served a full tour. Vetoing pay raises and better medical care for the soldiers. All of these things are being done while the politicians wave and scream SUPPORT OUR TROOPS.
They tell us that if we speak out against the war that we are actually speaking out against the troops. Yet they treat our troops like big piles of poop. Not really supporting them in my opinion.
We have our yellow ribbons on the back of our SUV’s and wave our flags everywhere. But how much support are we giving these men and women who are giving their all so we can have plenty of gas to burn at 15 MPG? Saying so isn’t cutting it.
Australia paid General Motors over $9000 per unit to have protective plating on each of the Humvees they bought for their soldiers. Our Pentagon won’t protect our kids by having this on US vehicles. Mothers are forced to send their kids Kevlar vests because they aren’t in the military budget.

“SUPPORT OUR TROOPS”. they cry.
Last July a group called Veterans For Common Sense filed a lawsuit in Federal court in San Fransisco against the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs. The suit alleges that at least 320,000 and up to 800,000 Iraq vets are being denied benefits for disabilities and medical care. These are kids with injuries and psycological problems from the war that can’t get any support.
People with missing limbs (no protection in the Humvees) are homeless. Kids with physical and mental problems are wandering without help. It takes an average of 831 days to get each case approved. That is 2 years and three months on average.
A recent survey estimates that 70% of Americas homeless men are Viet Nam vets. Add the returning Iraq war vets and the percentage soars.
The suit also names VA Secretary Jim Nicholson and his chiefs of getting $3.8 million in bonuses when the budget for returning vets was over a billion dollars short 2 years running.Sounds like a big corporation who rewards budget makers for shortchanging the workers.
So my challenge to you is twofold. Only one of the criteria I propose to you MUST be done. You have the internets and the Google so look up the addresses and phone numbers of your congressman or woman. Demand they do something for our returning veterans. Make it clear that you want the best for the brave women and men who fought this evil war. Demand more, more, more for them.
Or go out and take that magnetic yellow thing off your car and take down your flag.
One or the other! You can’t have the ribbons if you don’t truly SUPPORT OUR TROOPS.