theOperaGhost
April 17th, 2008, 11:39 PM
We had to do an editorial for journalism and this was mine. It's not very good, but I think the idea of it is good. Please read it and comment.
HONORING OUR VETERANS
Everyone has lived during a war or military conflict. Everyone probably knows people who have served in the military. Do we honor them? Even if you are against war, is it right to shun the people who put their lives on the line for our country. In our current war, the soldiers voluntarily enlist, but in past wars most were drafted. All came home as heroes, yet most came home to be condemned by the people of the United States.
World Wars I and II soldiers didn’t face as much criticism for their service, because most people felt that the wars were necessary. Soldiers of the Korean and Vietnam conflicts faced much more reproach because of their unsuccessfulness. They faced a new type of warfare, in the jungle. The purpose of these conflicts was to eliminate communism, which has still not been achieved. Soldiers were warned not to wear their uniforms in public when they returned home, since people were so disgusted with the wars.
Does a soldier deserve to be forgotten by the government that they served? A perfect example is Ira Hayes. He served at Iwo Jima in World War II. He was a Pima Indian. Fame and glory came to him for a while, but he also faced criticism.
Ira Hayes served as a Marine in World War II. He was one of the men that raised the flag in the famous photograph at Iwo Jima. He tried to return to a normal life, but media attention followed the flag raisers everywhere. In 1954, after a ceremony where President Eisenhower called him a hero, a reporter rushed up to him and asked him, “How do you like the pomp and circumstance?” Hayes hung his head and replied, “I don’t.”
Hayes was found face down in a puddle of his own blood and vomit. He died of exposure and alcohol, forgotten by the people.
Today’s soldiers are seen by most people as heroes, yet there are several anti-war groups. These groups consider the soldiers to be “baby killers”. What if Iraq was attacking our country? Would these people consider our soldiers to be “baby killers” then. They would quite likely want our armed forces to defend the country. People can be against war, but they shouldn’t be against the people serving the war. It isn’t their fault we are in this war. We should honor our current soldiers and our veterans for putting their lives on the line to save our freedom. And remember all those who lost their lives for our great country.
So the next time veterans comes around, take time to remember all of the men and women who have served in war. Also remember the men and women serving currently in the armed forces.
Everyone has their own opinions on war and such and that is what I think about it.
HONORING OUR VETERANS
Everyone has lived during a war or military conflict. Everyone probably knows people who have served in the military. Do we honor them? Even if you are against war, is it right to shun the people who put their lives on the line for our country. In our current war, the soldiers voluntarily enlist, but in past wars most were drafted. All came home as heroes, yet most came home to be condemned by the people of the United States.
World Wars I and II soldiers didn’t face as much criticism for their service, because most people felt that the wars were necessary. Soldiers of the Korean and Vietnam conflicts faced much more reproach because of their unsuccessfulness. They faced a new type of warfare, in the jungle. The purpose of these conflicts was to eliminate communism, which has still not been achieved. Soldiers were warned not to wear their uniforms in public when they returned home, since people were so disgusted with the wars.
Does a soldier deserve to be forgotten by the government that they served? A perfect example is Ira Hayes. He served at Iwo Jima in World War II. He was a Pima Indian. Fame and glory came to him for a while, but he also faced criticism.
Ira Hayes served as a Marine in World War II. He was one of the men that raised the flag in the famous photograph at Iwo Jima. He tried to return to a normal life, but media attention followed the flag raisers everywhere. In 1954, after a ceremony where President Eisenhower called him a hero, a reporter rushed up to him and asked him, “How do you like the pomp and circumstance?” Hayes hung his head and replied, “I don’t.”
Hayes was found face down in a puddle of his own blood and vomit. He died of exposure and alcohol, forgotten by the people.
Today’s soldiers are seen by most people as heroes, yet there are several anti-war groups. These groups consider the soldiers to be “baby killers”. What if Iraq was attacking our country? Would these people consider our soldiers to be “baby killers” then. They would quite likely want our armed forces to defend the country. People can be against war, but they shouldn’t be against the people serving the war. It isn’t their fault we are in this war. We should honor our current soldiers and our veterans for putting their lives on the line to save our freedom. And remember all those who lost their lives for our great country.
So the next time veterans comes around, take time to remember all of the men and women who have served in war. Also remember the men and women serving currently in the armed forces.
Everyone has their own opinions on war and such and that is what I think about it.