I was invited to attend a private Memorial Day ceremony arranged by a neighborhood group. I was very curious as to what I would find there. There were patriotic songs, a bugler, a young soldier for the flag raising, poems and brief speeches. I had to wonder if my 20 yo son would suddenly want to join the military after hearing all that soaring patriotic fervor. (He did not).

The speeches went well, providing a little history of Memorial Day, and fallen soldiers. It was nice for most of the event. Unfortunately toward the end there was also a call for renewed war in the Middle East, disparaging comments about lying politicians “who don’t love America” and a claim that the USA is a Christian nation. (Afterward my right-wing friend felt the need to point out to me that this was a reference to Obama) I’m sure most of those attending this gated community event were fine with those sentiments, but to me it was a disturbing and divisive thing to bring religion and politics into an otherwise nice community event.

From the boonies of East Java Indonesia, may all enjoy the American holiday but lest we not forget for what the holiday represents, especially since so many have died since WWII serving the interest of everything but the American people!

On this Memorial Day, let us remember the over 4000 American military personnel who have died in Iraq over non-existent WMDs. Let’s vow to never let that colossal mistake ever happen again.