Leading up to the Memorial Day holiday, a comment made on MSNBC by one of that network's regular hosts earned attention that it deserved.
In a segment devoted to "The Meaning of Memorial Day," Chris Hayes expressed to his news peers his difficulty in using the term "hero" when speaking of those fallen in the line of duty for our nation.
"Thinking today and observing Memorial Day ... um, I think it's interesting because I think it is very difficult to talk about the war dead and the fallen without invoking valor, without invoking the words 'heroes.' Um, and, ah, ah, why do I feel so uncomfortable about the word 'hero?' I feel comfortable, ah, uncomfortable, about the word because it seems to me that it is so rhetorically proximate to justifications for more war ... "
If our war dead and the fallen don't deserve terms such as "valor" and "hero" when, day after day, they protect our freedoms and liberty, what terms would you use?
These fallen no longer have a vote. These heroes have protected ours.
These war dead no longer have a voice that can be heard. These heroes have fought for ours.
These men and women of valor no longer have an opinion of war, freedom and liberty. These heroes have guaranteed the expression of ours.
To any and all who find it distasteful to honor our men and women with titles of distinction that are due, please take yours ... disgraceful.