Memorial Day

Although this is not the original Memorial Day, it is still a good time to honor the thousands of men and women who gave their lives in war. Some of these wars were not supposed to have happened, nor were they worth fighting, yet these heroes went into battle for a cause in which they believed.

We should honor these people by doing what our federal government has failed to do. Honor their veteran brothers and sisters who have been lucky enough to return from war, though battered and bruised. Politicians treat Americans like stupid imbeciles with plenty of pomp and circumstance while giving the country's citizens a day off from work. The president lays a wreath at Arlington National Cemetary and politicians make hollow speeches about honoring the dead.

What they should do is create an after care program for veterans of war that actually deals with the inherent issues that are associated with the killing and death that these people have experienced. We all have heard and read about the calamity that is called "Veterans Administration" and again, our government, under the  guise of a "shrinking budget" continues to diminish the care and treatment of these Americans who need it the most.

With that said, today is a day to step back while you are barbecuing, drinking, and partying and just take a moment and and point to the sky because that's where somebody's brother, sister, father, and mother, are in residence. Some of my most cherished friendships are with veterans, mostly Marines, and I am hoping that I have their permission in closing with the following phrase for those who have lost their lives in war.

"Semper Fi"

Mad Man