Veterans Against the War: 11 Perspectives on Ending US Imperialism

For Veteran's Day... 

My thoughts and hearts and prayers are with veterans and their families and loved ones today. And because I am aware of the cultural stories in our nation which glorify and justify war and violence and oppression, I am deeply committed to not promoting images which collude in the great suffering that those stories and belief systems bring to our veterans, their families and friends, and to those in this country and around the world who are impacted by war. Which is all of us. As Martin Luther King, Jr. has voiced, just imagine if our nation spent more on programs of social uplift rather than weapons of war. Just imagine! We certainly would not be approaching the spiritual death that he warned us of those many decades ago. We need new stories, new values, new images of courage that are centered in peace and caring and not violence and war. Truly, another world is possible! And this Great Awakening that is inviting us all to be part of begins within the hearts and minds of each and every one of us. War is not the answer! There is another way. Bless us all. ~ Molly

Maggie Martin. (Photo: Courtesy of Rory Fanning)

By Rory Fanning, Truthout | Op-Ed

Today is the 11th Armistice Day I will observe as a veteran. I only recently found the courage to speak up against the US-led wars being fought around the world. It took me so long to speak up because I was scared. I was scared of losing the respect of my family, and of losing the handful of social benefits that accompany being a compliant, "heroic" veteran worthy of uncritical cheers and applause at sporting events and airports. But I was tired of hiding and pretending that being honest about my military experience was less important than social approval, so I learned to speak out. It began with a few articles, which led to a book. The book led to speaking engagements at high schools, prisons and universities. Now it almost feels like second nature to challenge the notion that the United States military is a force for good, or that it fights for freedom and democracy around the world.

The support from like-minded veterans and activists who also speak out against US imperialism -- the lives it takes, the racism it fuels, the economic inequality it creates and the damage it does to the environment -- was the most important part of my evolution. These antiwar veterans helped me do battle with the fear of isolation that kept me silent. They are the ones who gave me courage. The idea that I was in it alone was a false one. Losing this feeling, I think, was the first step to speaking out.

Fifteen years ago, the US invaded Afghanistan, allegedly to capture the handful of people responsible for 9/11. A decade and a half later, hundreds of thousands of lives have been lost, other wars have been fought and a vast national security state has been built up around us. Trillions of dollars have been diverted from things like health care, education, infrastructure, fighting climate change and more. And now, a rightwing demagogue has been elected president of the US.

 How do we prevent a repeat of the last 15 years? How do we fight the creeping cynicism so many of us feel regarding our ability to stop the damage the US military does around the world? What are some of the obstacles faced by veterans since returning home? What are the challenges that prevent veterans from speaking against the vicious and brutal cycle of war in this country? Now, more than ever, these questions need answers.

 In my talks with students I am always encouraging them and their teachers to come together and organize space for veterans to share their stories. No, it isn't easy for veterans who want to communicate the realities of war to the soon-to-be military-aged kids who need to hear them the most. Ask any number of the millions of young people signed up for the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps program a few questions about our country's recent history. You'll soon realize how little information is being shared with those who will be tasked with fighting the next decade and a half of wars -- if those wars are not stopped.

The problem is that there is plenty of time for parades, backslapping, yellow ribbons and other propaganda, but very little time to hear the horrors of war. So, I thought I would heed my own advice. This Veterans Day, I reached out to a few of my favorite vets, and asked them about the challenges they've faced since leaving the military, what needs to happen to end the wars, and their greatest fear about speaking out. Hopefully, these voices will reach others who are considering speaking out, the young people who are being denied the information they need to make an informed decision about joining the military, and the active duty soldiers who are contemplating laying their weapons down and coming home. Maybe they will see that they are not alone, and that there are wonderful and courageous people out there who will support them.  

Please continue this article here: http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/38344-veterans-against-the-war-perspectives-on-ending-us-imperialism