War - What Is It Good For?

My Blogfather, Mr. M over at Comments From Left Field (who is a Navy veteran, by the way) sent me a couple of thought-provoking posts about war, military service in general, and also information on a fantastic organization that I hope I can help to get some interest in.

Mr. M, being anything but anti-troop, asks the questions we should all be asking, which is - why? Why throw away precious lives - our own soldiers and those in other lands, who are no less precious - unless there is no other alternative? So often it seems to be regarded as some kind of football game, with winners and losers, coaches and star players, cheerleaders and fans and sponsors - instead of death, blood, pain, and shattered families.

Lydia Cornell posts an extremely poignant letter from a serviceman that touched my heart and opened my eyes. If you have chosen to serve your country, you should not be forced into making a judgment call about whether your mission is honorable or not. Soldiers need to be able to count on the integrity of the people who are putting them in harm's way.

Mr. M also pointed me towards Fisher House and Beauty For The Brave, an organization that raises funds to build housing for family members of wounded soldiers to stay at that are within walking distance of military and VA hospitals across the country and overseas in Germany.

Beauty For The Brave says:

Our idea is wonderfully simple. What if every American woman donated the cost of her favorite beauty treat to benefit wounded troops? Think of your favorite - whether a manicure, a facial, a massage, or a new lipstick - and consider donating its cost to benefit our wounded. It's not how much each woman gives, but the fact that we are all contributing. And the symbolism of sacrificing something related to our own beauty is beautiful in itself. It hearkens back to the unique sacrifices our mothers and grandmothers on the home front made during past wars in our country's history.

The donations go to a wonderful organization called Fisher House that has been in existence for 17 years. They build houses right near military hospitals all across the country. It's a "home away from home" where the family of wounded service men and women can stay for free until their loved one is treated and released.

Because the ratio of wounded to killed is now so much higher thanks to medical advances, our obligation to these people who come home physically or emotionally damaged has grown exponentially. I hope you'll check out Fisher House and Beauty For The Brave!