We Need To "Take Care of Our Own"

With Memorial Day approaching, attempts will once again be made to properly thank our veterans for their sacrifice. While parades, moments of silence and flags waving are well intended, they will never measure up to the selfless and noble service of our servicemen and women. This year, I want to suggest a different tribute: Honor our veterans by living up to their values in your thoughts and deeds.

Having served as an Army platoon leader in Operation Desert Storm, I am proud of my service, but I am humbled by those who served on D-Day, in the jungles of Vietnam, in the uncertainty of the wars of the past decade and other innumerable conflicts. Whether their service was in peacetime or they gave their last full measure, we all have a singular bond - we were willing to sacrifice everything for the benefit of countless people who we will never meet and who will never have the chance to say "thank you."

The difference between what veterans have given to this country and the growing refrain throughout the land of "if it doesn't benefit me, I don't want to pay for it" is striking. The outrage at such apathy has found a voice in Bruce Springsteen's recent CD "Wrecking Ball." It has been described as this legendary songwriter's angriest album (and not because Giants Stadium was torn down). In the title track, the Boss implores us to "hold tight to your anger." That is inevitable as you view America through his eyes.

The CD's first single, "We Take Care Of Our Own," is the inspiration for this piece as Springsteen makes the juxtaposition between our servicemen and women and our growing apathy:

"From the shotgun shack to the Superdome. We yelled `help' but the cavalry stayed home. There ain't no-one hearing the bugle blown."

The scenes and stories of neglect in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina should have, at the very least, created more empathy for our fellow citizens. Instead, in combination with the financial services meltdown, they seemingly became a launching pad for a new mantra: "I've got mine, go get your own." This song's title mocks what America has become and he chides that apathy that exists "Wherever this flag is flown"—a not-so-subtle jab at those who will defend the flag with words but who do not understand or agree with all that it stands for.

"I've been stumblin' on good hearts turned to stone. The road of good intentions has gone dry as bone."

It is only fitting that a party built on a myriad of baseless fears, contradictions, selfishness and hypocrisy had its presidential nomination purchased, not without some sellers' remorse, by Mitt Romney—the robber baron vilified in another Springsteen anthem: "Death to My Hometown."

The attitude that "I am only going to pay for those government services that benefit me" is not only immoral, it is unsustainable in Greenwich, Connecticut, America and the world at large. The current conservative philosophy ignores the Special Forces creed: "No one left behind." It is a philosophy that considers a leg up to help our most vulnerable citizens wasted spending while supporting historically low tax rates on the richest Americans with an inexplicable linkage to the Boston Tea Party (note to this inappropriately named movement: The Sons of Liberty were protesting the lack of exactly the type of representation you enjoy). They demand lower capital gains tax rates while fewer American jobs are created by such gains (the rationale for a discounted rate). The right wing pushes provisions in the debt ceiling deal that cut social programs, but fights the same fate from befalling military spending.

The embarrassment of our homelessness problem, children without health care insurance and the high school dropout rate diminishes every one of us and weakens our country. This is no longer the mythical homogenous America of Republican dreams. It is a diverse, vibrant nation of more than 300 million people with no shortage of needs. Ironically (and sadly), more often the defenders (and future veterans) of this nation are those who have the least opportunity at the American dream.

"Where's the promise, from sea to shining sea?"

We are at a critical crossroads in American history. Monumental social and economic issues can only be solved by grown-ups willing to take the best ideas from both parties to create a bipartisan compromise (a word foreign to Republicans in Washington). These solutions will require responsible spending cuts AND raising income taxes toward historical norms instead of partisan, politically expedient schemes that will further stress our fragile economy and social fabric.

"Where's the eyes, the eyes with the will to see?"

Want to honor a veteran this Memorial Day? In the spirit that "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery" treat your fellow Americans the way veterans have. Care more about the poverty rate than the income tax rate. Deny bigotry that impedes the happiness of others (yes, I mean you North Carolina). Be charitable with your time and resources (double down by supporting veterans' charities, a by-product of the go-to-war strategy that is often ignored). Consider hiring a veteran if you are in a position to do so.

In short, exhibit a fraction of our veterans' compassion and selfless character.

Happy Memorial Day.