Patriots

Since Canada day and American Independence Day I’ve been struggling with several things. I was once married to a Canadian army guy, I’ve had brothers in the U.S. army, and a brother in law in the army. I’ve always felt passionate about people who volunteer for causes that mean something to them. On July fourth Luke and I watched “The Patriot” and the passion that people had back then was cause to celebrate! I feel people forget why America celebrates their independence sometimes.

The people who have sacrificed and lost their lives for a cause of freedom and equality over the last hundred years I fear has been forgotten. We have days like remembrance day, Canada day, Independence Day and patriots day to celebrate those hero’s, and yet it’s turned into party’s with drunkards and fireworks.

The America’s was the place for people to come to, to escape tyranny and cruelty. It’s now turned into a place that creates discord and hatred. I find it interesting that Europe who was the tyrant is now more open to change than the Americas.

In Canada, we have a prime minister that says the veterans are asking to much. He also says we need to support the globe with aid for war torn countries. I’m at a loss with this premise, because he is not taking care of his own.

I grew up with helping people less privileged than us (and we literally were asking for donations to feed our family). My family always helped people. We never had much but if we had more than we needed, we gave. But the point is help your own, and if there’s more to share than by all means!

This last week has taken a toll on me in regards to all of this. My brother Chris had PTSD from his years of service in the US army and in his last hours called for help. He was not approached with understanding, but with violence. I morn him every day but this week with all the so called patriotism I’m at a loss. I’m angry at the system that makes young men and women feel they can do their part to maintain the freedoms most people in our countries take for granted. When they come back they are not celebrated but tossed aside.

Something has to change in both Canada and the States. Our forefathers built North America to allow for people to live free from tyranny and those who fight for that matter!!! Those who fight should be treated with way more respect than they are given. It’s a fucked up world out there and some people see the worst of it. We shouldn’t blame them or ignore them after they’ve gone to fight for everything we believe in.