Editorial Comments
Editorial Comments from Seattle Times. May 28, 2007Â
Memorial Day
Help returning soldiers
Editor, The Times:
Shakespeare wrote, “The quality of mercy is not strained.” America’s mercy is about to be tested.
Few of us sense the coming grief. It will sweep over our land as waves of soldiers return from war, wounded and dispirited by post-traumatic stress. Until now, civilians have been strangely exempt from sacrifice. The soldiers’ work will end. Ours is just beginning.
If we supported the Iraq war, now let us show it. Help a soldier carry war’s everlasting pain. If we were opposed, holding compassion more noble than war, now let us give that compassion to the warrior. Never again neglect the veteran, as we did after Vietnam.
And if we blame, let us blame the dreamers of this war who never fought, not the fighters who shoulder the nightmare. Connect with a veteran’s family. Share meals with them. Listen without judgment.
If they can’t speak about it, don’t abandon them to isolation. Keep returning to say, “I’m here for you.”
Walk along a beach beside them, just skipping stones into silent water. We are chastened yet wiser now, called not to the arrogance of empire, but the quality of mercy.
Fred LaMotte, Steilacoom
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Honor merchant marine
Once again we celebrate the armed forces on Memorial Day but I think we should also stop to remember the valiant members of the Merchant Marine.
Over 1,500 ships were sunk, with 1 in 8 mariners losing their ship. Casualties were kept secret during the war to avoid providing information to the enemy and to keep mariners at sea. Mariners delivered everything to supply a war while taking part in every invasion from Normandy to Okinawa.
These gallant seamen deserve some recognition for their unsung service and sacrifice. Please remember them on Memorial Day.
Burt Shearer, Mercer Island