May 1st, 2011 will go down in history as the day America finally got some justice. It was a day to celebrate for many, but seeing the crowds of people chanting just made me cringe. Those are the Americans that do not get it. In their eyes it was the end. 10 years of war stops for them in that moment. Much like a clock with a dead battery, their world stopped ticking and a fool's golden peace flooded their air. Unicorns and rainbows will abound in their dreams at night. The world will link hands and sing "We Are the World" and harmony will be complete with jingling tambourines.
A week from now, those dreams will crash and the tambourines will be thrown in tantrums with new signs going up demanding the troops be brought back NOW! Reality will hit them hardest because they do not see clearly what is just ahead. More.
This war does not stop on a dime because one man is dead. This is not a war against any one individual. This is a war against a movement. The trouble with leaders is there are always followers.
The military community gets it. On Sept. 11, 2001 we understood in an instant that our lives had changed. We weren't sure how or how much, but we knew we were suddenly becoming a generation the world would not soon forget. Today we know there is a lot of fight left and it is too premature to celebrate openly.
As I watched the news showing the crowds of people gathering and waving flags, I couldn't help but be saddened. Not but days ago, if you had polled many of those in those same crowds their call to end the war would have drowned out the playing of the "Star Spangled Banner" at any ball game. Today as they sing proudly along with the national anthem and wave their flags on the big screen at the games, I say raise them high and remember who fights for your freedom to be irresolute in your patriotism. Remember who brought you your trophy. Remember, because in a week, when the war is still going and you are weary and could not care less about those that fight and the families that support them, those service members will STILL be willing to fight for you; and their families will STILL be waving flags and singing the national anthem proudly as they always have.
