Wandering Along the Path: Right Speech

Veterans' Day, yesterday, had me remembering the service and loss of so many soldiers.  My best friend's husband was killed in Vietnam, and it changed the course of her life, as did the loss of my mother's pilot sweetheart during World War II.  Another friend's husband survived Vietnam, but he walked off the plane addicted to heroin, and she had to leave their five month old baby to seek treatment.  The army washed their hands of the problem.  Their marriage did not survive.  People remake their lives, but the ghost of loved ones lost is a true haunting.  You are forever altered, and the sadness is part of your ongoing life.  We need to make certain we are not careless with these men and women who serve our country, and only send them where we are morally obligated to defend with righteousness.  Our recent history is not honorable, and I mean honorable to these brave souls who protect us.