Are We the Baddies?
Two-hundred and fifty years is a pretty decent run, all things considered. Still I cannot help myself from lamenting over the end of the empire. It's a strange duality of spirit being both a veteran of the United States military and frequent detractor of the military industrial complex. I am proud of my service. My reasons for joining may have been a bit idealistic, or romantic at the time, but at the core of my being is the duty to serve others.
I was a victim of American exceptionalist propaganda. I bought the narrative laid out in our carefully manicured history books in school. I indulged in the American film industry. Whose shilling for the military in war films (Jarhead, Saving Private Ryan, etc.) and non-war specific films (Transfomers, Marvel, etc.) alike gave them incredible PR.
I grew up in the post 9/11 world. The government told us we were doing the right thing. That the war on terror was a necessity. They used lies about WMDs to topple unrelated nations. But at the time...it seemed like a good idea.
I didn't join the military to fight terrorism. I did it to, in my mind, pay my dues to society. To give something back to the nation I loved. To be in service to others. I signed a check to the government payable up to, and including, my life. It still cost me more than I bargained for. I sacrificed more than I could explain easily in a blog post. But suffice to say I left the military without my physical or mental health intact. Some of my friends paid the ultimate price, so I reckon I got off pretty clean. But what did I get for my sacrifices?
A nation that has forgotten herself. A nation that puts a criminal and a traitor back into the highest seat of power. So he can wipe his ass with the constitution on a daily basis. I get a Veteran Association gutted and dysfunctional. I get to see the mask come off. For the nation to reveal themselves to the world for who they have always been.
There is no going back. Our reputation on the world stage cannot be restored. Our allies are moving toward other, safer avenues. And when we need help, far fewer will come to our aid.
I hope the 65% of veterans that voted for Trump have had an enlightenment.