I plan today to celebrate what I call XMCA Memorial Day. It is in honor of
those who have reluctantly but forthrightly risked or given their lives for
causes which they, rightly or wrongly, have sincerely felt to be honorable.
In order for them to be so honored, they also have to be lovers and seekers
of peace, and participants of conflict only as a last resort. Who falls
into this category? Draftees and sincere volunteers in wars, whether they
are American, Japanese, Vietnamese, or whomever. Persecuted pacifists and
religious praticioners, who hold onto their beliefs nonetheless.
Persecuted ethic persons who stand in the face of persecution because they
have no other moral choice. People who are victimized by lifestyle issues,
and who confront their victimizers for the sake of others. And others whom
I have forgotten in my haste and shallow analysis.
As far as I am concerned, this is what US Memorial Day has always meant to
me. It is not a victory day, but a remembrance day. I have no problem
expanding this remembrance in the ways outlined above, and will do so today
in my own way. I invite others to join me, but only if they wish.
gary shank
shank who-is-at duq.edu