Red Poppy Day in the US

In the United States, Memorial Day is set aside to honor those who fought for our way of life, both living and dead. As a people, we can be self-righteous and self-serving, but we are honest in our belief that we fight for the good of everyone. Outside the country the idea that we fight for oil or power or revenge may take hold - but you could never sell a war to Americans on that thought.

We backed the Iraq war originally because we knew that Saddam Hussein was a horrible man that did horrible things to innocent people. We can be naive, no question, but we are pretty transparent in our hopes and dreams for the world.

And so on Memorial Day we (and I) honor those who fought or made the sacrifice of their lives to keep and share our way of life. They didn't die for Republicans or Democrats. Often they didn't die for Americans. They died trying to make life better for everyone. They deserve my thanks. (Picture, Westwood CA Veteran's Cemetery).