Dear editor,
"A human life, I think, should be well rooted in some spot of a native land." (George Eliot, 1876) We are hard wired to both cherish and be thankful for where we are born, raised, and live out our lives. We will defend that place because it is "Where we may get the love of tender kinship for the face of the earth." (Eliot) This is part of the motivation for our country to utilize a standing army as first established by the Second Continental Congress, June 14, 1776. Americans have answered the call to serve many times over the course of this time. The citizen soldier has been integral in providing necessary defense while a professional military provided needed support and direction. The professional soldier is guided by a creed that includes loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage. These values shape how our soldiers act. In addition the citizen soldier is guided by patriotism, defending hearth and home. Both are necessary as we seek to find our way through a difficult world. It is right to honor such endeavor. A parade is appropriate but I would hope without too much hubris, sense of entitlement, or glorification of the trappings of war. There is an unintended consequence that arises when not all citizens are tasked with the care of the nation. We become subject to self-conceit, willful indulgence and false pride.
I honor our military for the above reasons and view with disdain all attempts to make this time about American superiority, American destiny, or American expansionism. Those types of parades can be seen in Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran. That does not belong here.
-Rev. Ronald D. Larson, retired clergy, Mt. Morris
