Can we finally expand the definition of the term “patriot”.
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On Memorial Day, as we pause in remembrance of those who have died in service in the U.S. military, I hope we also remember as well the diplomats and the mediators, those working in conflict resolution, the activists dedicated to preventing wars and to bringing existing wars to diplomatic resolution once they have begun, the individuals of conscience who refuse to give over their minds, their souls, and their bodies to armed conflict, the practitioners of non-violent resistance in the face of tyranny and oppression, the anti-war activists who strive to educate their peers, their citizenry, and, yes, their government to the perils of unjustified and unjust armed conflict and incursions into lands not their own in advance of appropriate attempts at diplomatic means of resolving conflict.
Individuals and groups who stand up and put their lives on the line to defend the country from very real threats to our national security, as do those in our nation’s military, are true patriots. But true patriots are also those who speak out, stand up, and challenge our governmental leaders, those who put their lives on the line by actively advocating for justice, freedom, and liberty through peaceful means.
Looking over the history of humanity, it is apparent that tyranny, at times, could only be countered through the raising of arms. On numerous occasions, however, diplomacy has been successful, and at other times, it should have been used more extensively before rushing to war.
I find it unacceptable when one’s patriotism and one’s love of country is called into question when one advocates for peaceful means of conflict resolution, for it is also an act of patriotism to work to keep our brave and courageous troops out of harm’s way, and to work to create conditions and understanding that ultimately make war less likely.
On Memorial Day, let us expand our definition of “patriot” while we remember and honor all of those serving our country.
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Great article Mr. Blumenfeld.
“But true patriots are also those who speak out, stand up, and challenge our governmental leaders, those who put their lives on the line by actively advocating for justice, freedom, and liberty through peaceful means.
We don’t do enough of honoring labor union activists in the USA compare to the military veterans when you look at how much veterans are honor in the movies, TV shows, literature, etc.
We should remember the labor workers that were killed by the Chicago Police in 1937 on Memorial Day during the little steel strike.
Gentlemen, May I suggest something here, as a veteran myself, the son of a veteran, who in turn was the son of a veteran. War truly is hell. It is insanity personified, where young men are charged into each other in deadly conflict utilizing the greatest inventions of destruction that mankind can create. Millions have lost their lives before they’ve had the chance to live them. They did that for us, but they also did so for the man next to them, their brother. There were even times when we pitted brother against brother, places like Antietam, where 22,000 American… Read more »
No. This is the day for those who lost their lives and NOTHING and no one else.
Tom, so are you saying that we can only memorialize those who lost their lives in service? What about those who died of other causes like my father who served in WWII, but died in 1998 of heart failure? Well, if that is the case, then we must also memorialize the students at Kent State University murdered by the national guard. We must memorial the student killed by police during an anti-war protest at the University of California at Berkeley. We must memorialize all the civilian peace keepers, and those engaging in civil disobedience who were killed for attempting to… Read more »
Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for remembering the people who died while serving in the country’s armed forces.
As my dad died of heart failure as well and served in WWII. Veterans Day is an official United States public holiday, observed annually on November 11, that honors military veterans, that is, persons who served in the United States Armed Forces. That’s when I go to the cemetery and place a flag on his grave.
Neither holiday honors civilians that I know of.
The point of my article is that we need to rethink (expand) our definition of veteran and patriot. It isn’t necessary for you to agree.
Sure, and let’s celebrate fathers on Mother’s day, and Lincoln on Martin Luther King day.
Your idea isn’t a bad one Warren, but I think you’re missing the point of the objections. Days like veteran’s day are set aside for a specific reason. There’s nothing stopping people from setting aside other days for other reasons.