A Holiday Message from Veterans Today

The holidays are a time to remember what things are all about, why we are who we are, why we fight wars and why so many have sacrificed so much.

We would bring every American home, every soldier, sailor or Marine, back to a life we can no longer guarantee even exists to a country we haven’t looked after too well.

History will do that for us and, as usual, the blame always lands on the blameless, the lame, the wounded, the damaged. We have all been down that road.

In 1914, a war America had not yet joined, two great armies faced one another on the Western Front, extending from the English Channel to the border of Switzerland, hundreds of miles of trenches, mud, a stench of death stifled only by falling snow and freezing temperatures.

That war would know three more Christmases, almost a fourth. Two decades later, another war, horrors untold but no Christmas truce.

I have my own memories of spending Christmas eve, now many decades ago, crouched along a trail in South Vietnam, waiting, not so innocently, for “insurgents” seeking warmth and shelter. They would find us instead.

Christmas day for Marines was spent trekking the mountains, the meal of the day a can of 20 year old lima beans (with ham) and a canteen of water collected from rainfall on a poncho.

That story continues, nearly a decade of wars, Americans on every continent, every ocean.

For the first time in our history, thousands of Americans, serving as private contractors, almost all veterans, serve also. We will remember them too.

Before we talk about our veterans, the 20 million families representing over 50 million Americans, we will take a moment to remember, as was done in 1914, that the enemy may not really be an enemy. We learned, in Vietnam, that America was capable of going to war against decent people, people defending their homes and that politics, deceit and evil infects our own land, sometimes even more than the nations deemed foes.

After nearly a decade of war, we all see that coming, the blame, the finger pointing, the excuses. Our troops are always blamed, our veterans are always at fault, this process started early in our current wars. Our veterans are not only forgotten but even being reviled long before the wars are over.

Our reasons for war this time are, it seems, even more ethereal than those that pushed us into the debacle of Vietnam. The tales of terror attacks and fiendish masterminds have unraveled revealing a darkness of heart closer to home, something that reminds the soldiers among us of our sacred oath, “enemies foreign and domestic.” Yes, domestic. We have them. They are among us.

Whatever we feel, whatever we believe, yes, believe as no one can ever say they know anything, not anymore. Certainty was sacrificed long ago when war and mythology, governance and deception became one.

All that is left, all that is real is the suffering and the loyalty and honor that has always been a part of those that serve and those who served and remember.

It is a time to end war and revile politicians and war profiteers, those who have created so much suffering and stripped America bare. It is also a time to make distinctions and to restore humanity. It is a time to honor those who serve, no matter the war, no matter the reason, to remember they are our comrades, our children, our brothers and sisters.

It is also time to remember that all people everywhere are our brothers and sisters and all are our children as well. This is why the wars have to end. War demands we sacrifice, not only our humanity but our honor as well. That is asking too much and too many have paid that price.

Long ago, looking back at World War I, the Christmas truce of 1914 and the promise and purity of soul it displayed, we failed to learn a lesson. Those who laid down their weapons were crushed and herded back to the slaughterhouse that would go on for years. That war was one of greed and manipulation, one that would soon breed another. It should have ended that night in 1914 as our current wars should end tonight. We know better.

Marine General Smedley Butler told us, not long after that war, the 1914 war, that all war is a racket.

Butler reminds us we have real enemies. I will remind you that they are not us, they are not the veterans sleeping in the streets of Los Angeles because the a wealthy homeowners group in Brentwood want to use the National Veterans Home for their own recreation.

Another great American, Colonel David Hackworth, once spoke of those who love war but hate fighting, love the sound of gunfire, but mostly on television. These are what David Hackworth, “Hack” to his friends, called the “Perfumed Princes of the Pentagon.” This pack of degenerate popinjays and their retired “pundit” friends, those who leave service bespeckled with honors earned on the golf course or parade ground, have been and continue to be the greatest enemy real American soldiers and veterans have ever had and ever will.

This is the problem in itself. We do forget. We trust the untrustworthy and forget those we owe everything to. Up to 1 million veterans are in need, homeless, stuck in eternal processing, pushed away, abandoned, many not able to live productively as they once did. Those that now serve will eventually join these ranks.

In a time when the few have benefited so much at the hands of the many, we all sit up night worrying about their special tax breaks for private planes and country club memberships, its time we stopped and remembered the many, the forgotten.

Our veterans are forgotten as much as our troops. America is sick of war, sick of hearing about suffering but more than happy to talk about new wars. We cheer them on, “let’s invade Iran,” but please, not my kids, no, let’s borrow the money from our grandchildren.”

The time is now. We stop. We clean up our mess, we pay our bills and we grow up. We have veterans strewn from one end of America to another, forgotten and abused. This Christmas is a time to dedicate ourselves to ending this national shame

He is an outspoken advocate for veterans and his powerful words have brought about change. Gordon is a lifelong PTSD sufferer from his war experiences and he is empathetic to the plight of today's veterans also suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. We greatly appreciate the opportunity to feature Gordon's timely and critical reports on Salem-News.com, a news organization staffed by a number of veterans, particularly former U.S. Marines.
You can send Gordon Duff an email at this address: Gpduf@aol.com

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Comments Leave a comment on this story.

All comments and messages are approved by people and self promotional links or unacceptable comments are denied.

Chris Franklin December 26, 2010 6:26 pm (Pacific time)

The below link was sent as you...

Editor: Look, you have the ability to read our rules; you are one more out there trying to represent yourself under different names here, forget it. Plus, you know damned well you tried to post a link to a stupid white racist site and not no but Hell no! I have friends who are African-American, Hispanic, Jewish, Muslim, etc., you name it, I'm sure none are OK with a person of your mentality. The last thing anyone will ever do here is post racist BC crap. Later

Christopher Franklin December 26, 2010 10:25 am (Pacific time)

See with your own eyes, and listen with your own ears.
Here is a clear crisp video link from the day before Christmas (12/24/10) that shows the loving nature of American Muslims for their fellow man. It is my prayer that those white Christians can learn a thing or two. Imagine this love of differences by muslims is happening in the heartland of America during the most sacred Christian holiday by followers of Islam? What gracious people they are! http://gatewaypundit.rightnetwork.com

Lucie Rhorhack December 25, 2010 6:13 pm (Pacific time)

Here is a beautiful Christmas greeting to our Christian warriors who are out protecting us from the most evil enemy who has ever existed: http://www.palintv.com/2010/12/25/governor-palins-christmas-message-to-the-military/

Brianna Mosher December 25, 2010 6:08 pm (Pacific time)

The editor wrote: "If you worship a God that demands war and death among your fellow man, then you are not talking about my God, or the one most people know. Anyone who supports war almost straight across the board, doesn't understand the most basic premise of Christianity. That is the truth." Actually real Christians are on God's side, whereas the opposites say God is on their side. Did God tell the Crusaders to go fight the Islamists who were killing the Christians all throughout the middle east and Africa? What would have happened if we Christians would have just bowed to the Islamists? If you knew your history going back to the 8th century you would know. This is not a peaceful group of love doves, this is an ideology whose intent is to subjucate the world. So yes we will be on God's side now, and as we always have been, to protect the innocent. By the way, Obama and all the far left say it's okay to kill a fetus as per an MD even up to full term. Also no comment about the democratic congress cutting mental health funding not President Reagan? Do you know how congress works?

Editor: I am a direct descendant of King Phillip who had the French Templars killed. While that isn't the exact timeframe you referenced, it might give you an idea that I do have a grasp on this early terrible period of history you refer to. Would you like me to base my opinion of you on what your ancestors did in the 9th Century? Didn't think so. All you have to know is that all people on this earth are very much the same. I too had preconceptions about Muslim people and knew little, until I went to the Mideast and spent time in Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, Kuwait and Iraq. I learned that my negative thoughts were way out of line, and that all people in all places love their children and want the same things.

Arab people are more humble and considerate of what they believe God expects from them, but that is about it. Christians, if that is what we consider your average American to be, is not nearly as steadfast or true in their religious actions and/or ambitions. America has become the land of mini skirts, Family Guy and fart jokes on Jib-Jab at Christmas. Are you proud of this?

The question is, why would anyone think it has to be 'us or them' and be blind to the fact that both wars are essentially wrong and even though the Taliban were awful toward their own people, the reasons can all be traced back to a western influence, and in this case a distinctly eastern influence from Communism also. So no, I don't believe there is ever a time that God wants us to have war. If and when people are oppressed and their land is occupied, as the land Christ lived in was during his time, then there is a reason to resist, I believe, though I think Christ would disagree.

Kyle December 25, 2010 11:42 am (Pacific time)

Sarah Palin could have easily aborted her Downs Syndrome son, but chose to keep him. How many liberals have done the same? How many have chosen abortion? So who do you think provides the highest percentage of their incomes to charity and helps the mentally ill the most? It is the conservatives.
My person of the year 2011 is Sarah Palin.

No one has played the media at their own game and defeated them as handily as the former Governor of Alaska.

She has created an alternative universe, one where she controls her own media through appearances on Fox News and her Discovery special.

What anyone else writes doesn't seem to matter anymore.

By tweeting her latest thoughts or doing a live interview she can completely dominate a news cycle.

How successful is she? Remember 'death panels'?

Her books are best sellers and she continues to attract thousands to her signings

She influenced millions of voters by her endorsements in the mid term elections and helped create the Tea Party and its resounding success.

Along the way she confounded critics time after time.

In the process she has made millions, propelled herself into the race for the Republican nomination for President of the United States and has become a household name across the western world.

Today, every mention of her name raises hackles or cheers depending on where you stand politically. She is never boring, always controversial and the press cannot get enough of her.

She has done all this despite a legislative career that consists of a short period as governor of Alaska and chaotic and failed vice presidential candidate bid to her name.

She has the virtue that everyone continues to underestimate her, believing she has no chance at the Republican nomination in 2012.

I beg to differ as I have said here on numerous occasions.

I think 2011 will be another banner year for Palin at the end of which she will be poised to win Iowa and New Hampshire and sweep the Republican nomination.

Because she is the most unlikely political story in a lifetime I think she deserves Person of the Year for 2010.

I agree with the 'unlikely' part.

Brianna Mosher December 25, 2010 11:35 am (Pacific time)

My father is a retired medical doctor who specialized in psychiatry during the Reagan Administration. He states that the public record is quite clear that the democratically controlled Senate and House of Representatives were responsible for cutting funding for mental health services on the federal level. It seems to me that you have the far left who gets all revved up if someone challenges them about sucking the brains out of an 8 month fetus, or puts a cross in urine, but God strike down those that would put a toy in a happy meal. It seems many out there have tunnel vision, and very little ability to allow corrective and updated info in to correct their misguided and faulty opinions. As far as when Jesus was born, obviously we have selected a date that the rest of the Christian world accepts, so what. Have you also noticed how the far left uses Jesus to push their weak points on things like taxes and the evilness of driving SUV's? If one has good facts for a debate, then why do some not use facts but instead just use sophmoric banter? The answer is obvious.

For one thing the labeling itself is totally wrong. You lump people into a negative category because they are fair minded and caring? Your apparent reference to abortion is so far out most people won't know what you are talking about. The truth of the matter is that people like you simply want to keep control of women, that is all. You appear to have no desire to save the image of Christianity by keeping it clean, no, you are here to slam people for wanting peace and an end to war. That doesn't make sense. If you worship a God that demands war and death among your fellow man, then you are not talking about my God, or the one most people know. Anyone who supports war almost straight across the board, doesn't understand the most basic premise of Christianity. That is the truth.

Salutations, one and all December 24, 2010 6:54 pm (Pacific time)

Yes Gordon, Christmas is a time of sharing with family and friends. For Todd and me, that means spending time with our children, parents, grandparents, and siblings, gratefully acknowledging God’s blessings and sharing them with the people we love.
Ronald Reagan said Christmas was a “state of mind, found throughout the year whenever faith overcomes doubt, hope conquers despair, and love triumphs over hate.” On this Christmas Eve, let’s be thankful that we live in a country known for striving to embody these values. And let’s be grateful for the brave men and women in uniform who have fought to defend our values and who may be spending this Christmas far from home. I am so glad my oldest son is back home, and pray that we end these just wars soon.
On behalf of the entire Palin family, I wish you a very Merry Christmas; and may the new year let you realize the promise found in 2 Timothy 1:7!
- Sarah Palin
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)
Remember to tune into the TLC network every Sunday evening and see me having fun and causing liberal heads to explode. Also, you will be able to see Russia from any window in my palatial home. God Bless.

Editor: Ronald Reagan was a disease for America. There is nothing noble about killing people. Jesus was liberal and if you support Palin, you don't support Jesus. All sheep eat at 11:00 a.m. sharp, be on time. And remember that Christ was probably born in October. Christmas is a sham and a ridiculous exploitation of a pagan holiday. People should always live right and most of all, they should follow the teachings of Chris, unlike Palin, Obama, the Bush's and especially Reagan who terminated funding for the mentally ill. What a terrible thing to have done, but hey, he's a movie actor, can't be bad, right?

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A Holiday Message from Veterans Today

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