Editor’s Note: Interested in free weekly updates from Northern Michigan? Sign up for the WEEKLY PINE VIEW
By Joel Vernier
More than a week ago, I was napping in my “Comfy Chair”. I woke up, grabbed the TV remote, and, using voice command, turned on my TV with my Cube technology. The screen on the news came on showing bombs hitting all sorts of targets in Iran! I enjoy looking back at our countries documentaries on various battles that we have fought and won over in the almost 250 years since we have won our independence, also movies like “Pearl,” “Battle of the Bulge,” “Hacksaw Ridge,” “Saving Private Ryan,” ”The Longest Day,” ”Midway,” and the list goes on. Many touch one’s heart about the bravery in facing death by our incredible military.
On this day, watching TV was all too real; unfolding on the screen were videos of “Operation Epic Fury!”, the realization that we were once again fighting another country. There are always predictable arguments about whether we should take this action or not. Those decisions are far above my paygrade. We, the American people, do not always get the top-secret data that decides these things.
Most Americans would prefer never to go to war. We are a peace-loving nation that welcomes all people into our country via legal immigration. Diversity has enriched our nation by welcoming people who come here to assimilate into our culture and to keep their culture and practice their religion in freedom. The word ” assimilate ” in this context means to blend in and work together under our Constitution for the betterment of our great Nation.
Day after day, amazing footage of our military in action jumps across our screens. Americans grieve for our military members who are killed or maimed as a direct result of these actions. Many also grieve for the innocents who are harmed in these actions, even though great care is taken to reduce harm to non-combatants. Again, the American people are peace-loving.
For every action, there is a reaction. America will feel the brunt of every military action in various ways. Emotional distress due to the uncertainty of what will happen, how long this action will go on, and whether there are “Sleeper Cells” that will be triggered? Will we have shortages of goods and services, and price increases? Will our politicians be more divisive or more committed, and will they show solidarity as this action reaches its conclusion?
What can we do as individuals during these times? For me, I strive to remain calm, stay informed about what is happening, pray for peace, and continue to live my life as best I can in these uncertain times. History will look back at this time, make judgments about the decisions our leaders made, and assess the results toward furthering peace for the World. “Peace Be With You!”
“Remember, every day is a gift! Some are just a little more fun to open than others.
