Dear Jake,
Your Dad shared with me the news of your injury. While we’ve only met once or twice, your Dad is one of my closest friends and it is that friendship that leads me to reach out to you. I want you to know how your injury has affected my experience of this day, July 4th.
I have always had mixed feelings about war. I understand the necessity in some situations but I don’t think we, as a species, do a really good job determining what those situations are. I’ve also had the luxury of not thinking about it except when I choose to, a luxury I realize is only afforded me because of those in fact who were/are willing to go to war.
My Dad served in WWII, but he was an accountant in some HQ and never saw combat. My husband served in Korea and, while he was a classic grunt, he enlisted as an adventure far away from home and the stories he brought back sound more like college fraternity stories than drama of life and death. And when our sons Josh and Adam, now 21 and 17 respectively, were young teens, we began the paper trail documentation in case the draft was reinstated and we needed to make the case that they are conscientious objectors. Not a family with a rich military tradition.
So each July 4th I have reflected on the ideals of our “founding fathers” and taken some pride in what this country has accomplished. I have enjoyed the festivities, the parades, the fireworks and the b-b-q . But I have only given passing attention to the military symbols.
Last night my husband Dick and I went to the Boston Pops July 4th Esplanade Concert rehearsal. (Tonight is the “official concert” with the fireworks which will draw 50,000 people. Last night there were only 15,000 and no fireworks but the concert is the same. ) As part of the program, a military chorus representing all branches led a sing-a-long which included each branch’s theme song. Members of the audience were asked to stand when their branch’s song was sung.
Jake, I looked at each of those people and thought of you. I thought of the choices you have at this time in your life and your decision to serve your country. I thought of what it must take for a person, especially a young person who wasn’t raised with the expectation of serving in the military, to make this decision. I thought about what the separation and the fears must feel like for you and for your family. And I thought about how, regardless of what I might think of this particular war, if it wasn’t for people like you throughout the ages I would not have the luxury of enjoying a summer’s evening concert celebrating our nation’s birthday.
So, thank you, Jake. Thank you for having the courage to follow through on your convictions. Thank you for reminding me what July 4th is about.
I will continue to pray for your speedy recovery.
With best wishes,
Francine
Your Dad shared with me the news of your injury. While we’ve only met once or twice, your Dad is one of my closest friends and it is that friendship that leads me to reach out to you. I want you to know how your injury has affected my experience of this day, July 4th.
I have always had mixed feelings about war. I understand the necessity in some situations but I don’t think we, as a species, do a really good job determining what those situations are. I’ve also had the luxury of not thinking about it except when I choose to, a luxury I realize is only afforded me because of those in fact who were/are willing to go to war.
My Dad served in WWII, but he was an accountant in some HQ and never saw combat. My husband served in Korea and, while he was a classic grunt, he enlisted as an adventure far away from home and the stories he brought back sound more like college fraternity stories than drama of life and death. And when our sons Josh and Adam, now 21 and 17 respectively, were young teens, we began the paper trail documentation in case the draft was reinstated and we needed to make the case that they are conscientious objectors. Not a family with a rich military tradition.
So each July 4th I have reflected on the ideals of our “founding fathers” and taken some pride in what this country has accomplished. I have enjoyed the festivities, the parades, the fireworks and the b-b-q . But I have only given passing attention to the military symbols.
Last night my husband Dick and I went to the Boston Pops July 4th Esplanade Concert rehearsal. (Tonight is the “official concert” with the fireworks which will draw 50,000 people. Last night there were only 15,000 and no fireworks but the concert is the same. ) As part of the program, a military chorus representing all branches led a sing-a-long which included each branch’s theme song. Members of the audience were asked to stand when their branch’s song was sung.
Jake, I looked at each of those people and thought of you. I thought of the choices you have at this time in your life and your decision to serve your country. I thought of what it must take for a person, especially a young person who wasn’t raised with the expectation of serving in the military, to make this decision. I thought about what the separation and the fears must feel like for you and for your family. And I thought about how, regardless of what I might think of this particular war, if it wasn’t for people like you throughout the ages I would not have the luxury of enjoying a summer’s evening concert celebrating our nation’s birthday.
So, thank you, Jake. Thank you for having the courage to follow through on your convictions. Thank you for reminding me what July 4th is about.
I will continue to pray for your speedy recovery.
With best wishes,
Francine
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