Commentary: Mooney's Class
Antelope Valley Press
Edward Mooney, Jr.
May 30, 2005

Title: I remember. Will they?

It's hard to comprehend that today's high school students were born after the Vietnam War, and that the seniors who will be graduating next month from our local high schools weren't even in school when General Norman Schwarzkopf and his troops stormed the sands of Iraq. I vividly remember those events, though. I lived through them - from afar.

What's that mean for those of us who remember the horrors of Vietnam battles on television every night? It's simple: history is not best taught by books (take it from a history teacher). The personal stories of veterans, and the lessons of war, ram messages home.

Sure, kids can read about the dates and events, but there is something special about hearing from the men and women who walked the story, not just read about it. That experience makes the lesson real.

Veterans, I'm sorry to tell you that your job in the military is not complete. You served with honor than; serve with honor now as well. In your neighborhood are dozens of kids who don't remember places like Omaha Beach, or Inchon, or Khe Sanh, or Kuwait. They've read the words, but most kids discard what these dry pages - unless it becomes real for them. Here's your opportunity.

If you were "there", tell a kid. I know it's hard - who wants to dredge up memories that still produce nightmares after decades? You have to do it, though.

Yeah, the kids need to understand what happened "back then". It's important so we never have to learn those bloody and costly lessons again. America doesn't need to pay twice for the same real estate. That's valid, but there's another one - we need to hear about what happened in those jungles, or forests, or deserts because good men and women died in those places. They must not be forgotten - they are the reason you must speak.

Their sacrifice will be in vain only if the message of what they died for disappears. That will only happen if the new set of adults grow up not knowing of what they did - and why they did it.

You owe it to those who never came home. You are their living stories, veterans. They passed their torch of life to you, and you must pass it on now.

We remember them today - Memorial Day.

I remember the veterans and dead of the American Revolution and the War of 1812, often called the Second American Revolution, for they bought me the right to call myself an American, and to be protected by that Great Document, the US Constitution.

I remember the veterans and dead of the Civil War, sometimes called the War Between the States, for they bought me a unified and free country that believes in "liberty and justice for all".

I remember the veterans and dead of the Spanish-American War, for they bought me the privilege of being born in a world class country that is second to none.

I remember the veterans and dead of World War I, for they announced to all nations that we will be heard on the world stage.

I remember the veterans and dead of World War II, for they rid this planet of the scourge of three of the worst dictatorships ever seen on this planet, and they truly defined freedom.

I remember the veterans and dead of Korea, including Edward Mooney, Sr., recently deceased disabled Air Force veteran; these men and women made it clear to newer dictators that freedom will still stand against tyrants.

I remember the veterans and dead of Vietnam, for they showed all of us how to serve and win in spite of bad government decisions. I have a deep respect for those folks; they won that conflict - the politicians messed it up.

I remember, but the important question is - will the next generation? Veterans, your dead comrades call out to you - never forget them. Tell others. Oh, and don't forget to fly the flag today, no matter how many stars are in the union. The dead soldiers, sailors, marines, coasties, merchant marines and airmen paid for your right to "run up the colors".

Thought for the Week: "Within the soul of each Vietnam veteran there is probably something that says 'Bad war, good soldier.' Only now are Americans beginning to separate the war from the warrior." - Max Cleland

Edward Mooney, Jr., of Palmdale, is a teacher at Quartz Hill High School and the author of the novels "The Pearls of the Stone Man" and "The Journey of the Stone Man".