Memorial Day. The start of summer – barbecues, beaches, fun outdoors! Do any of us take time this weekend to remember the purpose of Memorial Day – to honor the men and women who served and died in our name in conflicts throughout the world?
            We are a nation at war. Many members of the military are frustrated today because very few people recognize this truth. Members of the United States military are engaged in military actions in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria. There have also been military actions taken by members of the United States military in Yemen and in different African nations. A significant number of American military personnel have served multiple tours of duty in Iraq and in Afghanistan as the United States continues to determine its role in those countries and assist in efforts to stabilize them. The sad truth is that the majority of Americans are ignorant of the breadth of military engagements that now put American service members at risk because less than 1 percent of the American population has been on active duty in the United States military.
            All of us should take time this weekend to acknowledge the debt we owe to the members of the United States military. Every day they accept challenges that few military forces are prepared to accept and they carry out their work with exceptional skill and dedication. Our appreciation of their sacrifices and their service should not prevent us from challenging our political leaders to justify the use of military force and to explain how the use of military force serves our national interests and advances the cause of peace. We can support our troops while vigorously challenging our political leadership to examine our continued dependence on military solutions to complex international problems.
            Before you open that beer this weekend, or eat that hot dog or hamburger, pause and pray for the members of our armed forces. Pray for their safety. Pray for wisdom for our national leaders that they might support our troops by asking less of them and more of our diplomats.
 
 
 
 
                                                
                                                                                                                                                                                             Fr. Mark Hallinan, S.J