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September 25, 2005
I Will Always Be A Veteran
Yesterday, I marched through the streets of my country’s capitol with more than 100,000 like-minded people excercising our first amendment right in the form of protesting the war in Iraq – I felt so very proud to be a veteran.
As I stood in front of the White House void of our disconnected, unconcerned President - I felt so very indignant to be a veteran.
Reflecting on the practices of recruiters and their tendency to prey on the poor, the disadvantaged, and the young - I felt so very used to be a veteran.
When I witnessed the people carrying a length of rope with 1,900 photographs attached; each of an American troop killed in Iraq – I felt so very guilty to be a veteran.
Upon realizing that countless people were wearing signs bearing the names of innocent civilians killed in Iraq - I felt so very ashamed to be a veteran.
Walking by the small but vocal conservative, Christian contingent gathered to call us names, accuse us of forsaking our troops, equate us to terrorists, and celebrate the deaths of their own soldier children - I felt so very disgusted to be a veteran.
Thanking the one police officer we encountered that was good-spirited, and helpful rather than stoic and unresponsive like so many of the others - I felt so very vindicated to be a veteran.
I came away from the march feeling as if I had just disembarked a roller coaster. I was physically and mentally exhausted. It is clear that my status as a veteran is inextricably entwined with my emotional state. As a result, my feelings on being a veteran are in a constant state of flux. But there is one thing I cannot change - I will always be a veteran.
Riding the metro home, standing next to her; exhausted but beautiful - I felt so very joyful to be here to say, "I am a veteran," whether I like it or not.
Posted By eBill at 12:00 PM
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