Military Funerals

By Charles Tolleson
November 11, 2010

There was a funeral in an Illinois town for a soldier killed in Afghanistan. The local high school students lined the streets as the funeral procession, led by police cars, passed by.

Throughout history tribes have always honored those lost in battle, even if the battle is ten thousand miles from home while carrying out an unnecessary war.

The tribe does this to make sure there are always new warriors willing to sign up. The tribe is always fearful, a basic instinct, and they always want to make sure there are enough warriors to allay the fears of the tribe. They praise, encourage, and indoctrinate the young men to take on the task of protecting the tribe. However, the young men get used by old men in wars that have nothing to do with tribal protection.

When I joined the army as a young lad I had no idea where Korea was or why we were fighting there. I was just naïve enough to follow the orders of old demonic men. Now that I am older and wiser, and a veteran, I realize I was just a war enabler, enabling old men to send young men into foreign countries to kill strangers they had no arguments with.

Last night, on the eve of Veterans Day, my ten year old grandson called and asked what years I served in the military. I told him and asked why he wanted to know. He, only ten years old, was assigned by a government school to write the names of family members who were veterans. Each name will be a brick paper on a wall in the classroom to honor veterans. He is getting his indoctrination early. I would like to talk to his teacher. The children who do not have any family members who are veterans probably feel shame.

Providing respect with a parade, a police escort, and customers let out from the government schools to line the streets to show more respect as the fallen soldier passes by, is a great way to get future enlistments. Each young man has illusions of glory and fame, even if it requires risking his life. He is more afraid of shame than of bullets. If he shows his courage, a common quality in men, (men show courage in many ways as civilians) by putting on a uniform he will be rewarded with respect, medals, a pension, and a mate, all basic needs of a man.

I can imagine the thoughts going through the minds of those young high school males as they see all of the respect shown to a dead soldier. They know the odds of them finding this kind of respect in a normal civilian job are extremely low. Their minds start thinking of the risk/rewards. A small percentage of the young men are prime candidates to fulfill the State’s most basic function, to make war. Without them the State would have to compromise and negotiate with other states, just like individuals do.

My son said there should be an anti Vietnam War rally to remind the young people how easy it is for the government warmongers to dupe the young into dying in unnecessary wars.

"Give me the money that has been spent in war and I will clothe every man, woman, and child in an attire of which kings and queens will be proud. I will build a schoolhouse in every valley over the whole earth. I will crown every hillside with a place of worship consecrated to peace". ~Charles Sumner