Inside every "boot on the ground" in the armed forces exists a soldier's story. Every soldier has a unique reason for enlisting, although several common thematic elements exist.
Since the military became strictly volunteer-based, many serve out of a love for their home and a desire to protect the US. Others want to distinguish themselves under times of duress, or learn skills valuable to employers and society.
Some families look at military service as a way to honor their heritage. Still others, especially low-income individuals, see the military as an opportunity to obtain an education otherwise unaffordable.
In the middle of an unpopular war, those who oppose the conflict must remember to differentiate between the decision-making apparatus in the military and the people ordered to carry actions out.
As a necessity for functioning, the military trains its subordinates to follow orders without question. During periods of intense stress, military conditioning provides infantry members with an inner reserve to carry out the directives needed to achieve an objective.
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From boot camp until discharge, soldiers exchange their right to freedom for the virtues of discipline and enhanced willpower to ensure freedom for others.
While soldiers are allowed to not follow an order seen as immoral, the lower echelons usually have little choice of assignments. If assignments are not carried out, soldiers can face disciplinary actions up to and including imprisonment.
Actions taken during a conflict do not always reflect the personal feelings of a soldier. Soldiers are trained to remove their sentiments from their work while in the service.
Individuals on both sides of the political spectrum should know, then, it is possible to disapprove of an undertaking like an unjust war while still supporting those chosen to carry it out. Feelings toward a system do not indicate feelings for individual parts.
The advocacy group Veterans for Peace knows this as well or better than anyone. The group consists of people who have seen firsthand the cost of war.
This witnessing brings out the desire to see the lives of their comrades in arms not squandered needlessly in futile actions motivated by demogogues for political gain.
Motivated by their experiences abroad, members of Veterans for Peace work tirelessly to curtail unjust military initiatives. These veterans are some of the most ardent and organized groups at peace rallies, leading from the front to make their dissent known.
This weekend is a time to put political differences aside and honor those people who made the greatest sacrifice for our country. Whether someone is for war or against it, a pair of empty boots will always be an occasion to pause and reflect.
