I am a resident in the US, a Canadian citizen, and while I have been
here for the last 6 years I have learned some very important things
about the US and its people.

The politicians here are just a dumb and controversial here as anywhere
else in the world, never really seeming to perform what the public
wants, and always influenced
by personal agendas....just like everywhere else.

I can only hope that when their day of of reckoning comes, they will
pay for their deeds.

My Great Grandfather was killed by the British, and my Grandfather was
killed by the British, my father was injured by the Americans but they
took care of him as a prisoner in Texas......my father fought because
he was to protect his family, not because he supported Hitler's quest
for power. Troops dont necessarily agree on the politicians point of
view.

The company where I work, had adopted a platoon of Marines in Iraq and
sent them mail, supplies, words of encouragement, treats etc.

After their tour of duty was over they returned back to the US and
visited us here at work with their equipment, Hummers, Rifles,
Artillery etc and demonstrated for us how it all works.

I was immediately floored by their age.....they are so young, more like
the kids you see at the mall, or delivering the newspaper.

I was also impressed by their formal forthright attitudes.....their
parents can be very proud, as I've never seen a finer group of
kids.....very knowledgable and respectfull.

I was moved by what I saw, and could not imagine them laying down their
lives at the whim of our government, for the greater good. At that
moment or realization I understood what patriotism is all about.

So I celebrate memorial day out of respect for these fine boys and all
the others before them, because you have to support the soldiers, even
if not the politicians, because the soldiers are our children,
brothers, sisters, neices and nephews, fathers and grand
fathers.....they are our family....on every side of the globe, and they
have choosen to serve their family and country regardless of whether
they agree or not about the politics.

How can you not support your own troops or in my case adopted troops?

Every country has their own day of celebration, and I suggest everyone
support them as you would your own family. Thats what memorial day is
about.....saying thanks!

How can we argue about this?

Ray Buhr