I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. My sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history, naval architecture, navigation, commerce, and agriculture, in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry, and porcelain.
-John Adams
Today is Veterans Day. Our society has become so contentious in my lifetime that days like today are willfully misused for ideological and political purposes from both camps of cultural extremity. I feel this is wrong.
My father was a veteran. In many ways he personified the American dream; a dream that, to be honest, no longer feels possible today. Born into the abject poverty of Mexican-American culture in New Mexico of the 40's, he put himself though college on an ROTC scholarship, became a decorated officer, a doctor and a leader in his community. His life was cut short, not in defense of his country (one that he deeply loved, and yes that is the United States), but by an undiagnosed disease similar to MS.
He instilled in me many things, a love of history being one. As you might imagine, we disagreed on many social issues, but war was not one of them. While he saw it as his duty to fight, he despised war. I've often told people that you will be hard-pressed to find greater advocates for peace than old soldiers, of whom I have met quite a few. Young men and women serve in the military for many reasons, not all of which have to do with duty, honor or country. That is a different discussion. Nonetheless, whatever your political leanings today is about honoring and thanking these people for doing so.
What I like about the quote above, and what I think it has to do with today (and with art) is that it clearly states the larger objectives of our society. War was never intended to be industry. It is an unfortunate means to an end, -one that should be avoided whenever possible. The founding fathers did not rush headlong into the Revolution. Today, their caution and reluctance would probably be seen by some of the very people who are so fond of comparing themselves to them as cowardice or lack of patriotism. This, of course, is absurd.
I am an artist largely because I grew up on military bases. I have gone to sleep with cannons blasting in the distance. I have awakened to hundreds of soldiers in formations across the street. I have had an M-16 leveled at my head when I wandered into the wrong areas of post as a rebellious teenager. Most importantly, I've seen what comes back from war all-too-often, and our failings as a people to respond to it. Veterans Day isn't just about honoring the service, it is about remembering our responsibility (whether you agree with the wars fought or not) to those who have served.
May we never lose site of what we claim to be preserving when we activate our military. Let the children of today's youngest veterans grow up in peace to become the great scientific minds of the world, so that their children will grow up to be the greatest artists of the world. Let us never again draw the sword of war without knowing how and where it will strike, and clearly defining the objectives and outcomes of that act. Let those who serve today serve in peaceful times, always at the ready but never called.
I cannot believe how similar our parents lives were. And interestingly enough my dad died much too early of ALS. They say that the incidence of ALS is much higher in vets than anyone else, which leads me to believe that there were all kinds of fumes, gases, who knows what, that they were exposed to when they fought--no doubt, a great deal of it if not all, generated from our side. Not to say that I don't have great respect for the sacrifices that were made. I will never dis the military or the US. Too much was given, and as you point out, it gets so lost during this holiday. Great post!
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