My father taught me that there was no glory in dying in battle. He served in the European Theater in World War II in the 86th Infantry, the Blackhawk Division. He mostly spoke of how cold it was, but he never forgot the men with whom he served who never made it home. My father hated war, not that there were times it couldn’t be avoided, but he honored those who died and taught me to honor them as well. They didn’t ask to die, but they served knowing it could happen. They went anyway because that was their duty.
Did other fathers teach this lesson to their children? Apparently not.
Shameful Princeton students rush to stop a MEMORIAL DAY parade after spotting American flags coming towards them.
Hundreds of activists charged onto the road and sat down while shouting “Free Palestine” at the parade marchers who were honoring fallen service members & veterans. pic.twitter.com/dSQWK0J4YD
— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) May 26, 2024
Without regard to their purpose in protesting, was a parade in honor of those who died for their right to chant slogans unworthy of sufficient respect to not be turned into a performative platform? Is there nothing that matters more than whatever orthodoxy seizes the moment?
Americans fought and died for them. Would they do the same for anyone else, or is this about playing activist in the street to block a parade honoring men and women who deserve our respect but won’t get it from these children.
On twitter, I wrote that it’s sad that they care so little for fallen American servicemen. In reply, Michael Bailey corrected me.
They care. In the wrong direction.
— Michael Bailey (@profjmb) May 27, 2024
We need to teach our children to honor those who gave their lives so they could protest, no matter how foolish and misguided their protest might be. Happy Memorial Day. God bless America.
Image shamelessly stolen from Dan Hull.