How many will be maimed, killed?

Yesterday, at the Pala gaming facility, I saw dozens of young US Marines who were attending a once-a-year gala in their honor. These young men and women were resplendent in their dress uniforms covered with shiny medals. Some of the young men escorted pretty girls wearing evening dresses. Many of these young women were pregnant.

I thought of last year’s gala and wondered how many of those present then were no longer alive. I wondered how many attending this gala would not be there next year — how many would be dead, how many would be maimed — how many would be blind — how many would have lost arms and legs and how many would be damaged for life! And, how many would leave widows and those yet-unborn babies to grow up never knowing their fathers! And for what? This joyous event left me so sad. “Cry the beloved country,” said a writer many years ago. Cry… What are you doing to our youth?

I am angry, but mostly, I’m terribly sad. I want this war to end!