We’re Working To Make War A Distant Memory

Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) was founded in 2004 in part to end wars and occupations. Today, we join the rest of the nation mourning those who’ve lost their lives, health, and loved ones to war. Memorial Day 2018 calls us to remember the ultimate sacrifice made by so many—too many—in service to our military.

Allowing easier or more frequent war would diminish their service. I have yet to meet a veteran or person on active military duty who believes that making peace is in unpatriotic or weak. Yet the ever active and often misleading spin machine pits those who struggle for peace against those who have known the terrible cost of war. Warriors and peaceniks are truly all on the side of peace.

Arlington National Cemetery (Photo: Ipsingh at en.wikipedia) • Public domain)

Today, we memorialize the many who have died. We honor their lives through our own service to our nation and world by promoting peace as a better path and the path we must pursue. We honor lost lives through our steadfast support of progressive candidates and elected leaders who share our commitment to peace as a first, second, third resort always.

A few of our presidents who also had served in the military say it best, with the ethical and moral authority to do so:

“If men can develop weapons that are so terrifying as to make the thought of global war include almost a sentence for suicide, you would think that man’s intelligence and his comprehension…would include also his ability to find a peaceful solution.”
—President and General Dwight D. Eisenhower

”I look forward to a great future for America—a future in which our country will match its military strength with our moral restraint, its wealth with our wisdom, its power with our purpose.”
—President and Lieutenant John F. Kennedy

”My first wish is to see this plague of mankind, war, banished from the earth.”
—President and General George Washington

Please remember today that so many Americans died serving their nation. Each and every one was a person, so much like ourselves, who believed in freedom and justice for all, and found these goals worthy of sacrifice. Too often, their deaths were enmeshed with less worthy motivations of greedy leaders and special interests.

To honor our fallen is not to honor the making of war nor the lust for wealth and power, but rather to share the quest for peaceful coexistence. We do remember, and we fight on.

Peace,

Donna Smith for Mike H., Mike F., Judy, Dr. Bill, Janis, Dan, Deb, Kimberly, and Bryan—Your PDA National Team

P.S. We’re here to help you make progress in your state and locality! If you need help organizing a new PDA chapter or energizing your existing chapter, please contact PDA Field Coordinator Dan O’Neal. Join the PDA Phone Team making easy, effective calls from your own home with Mike “Phone Guy” Fox.

No time to volunteer? Then please pitch in $1000, $100, or whatever you can afford. We are standing up against the powerful and wealthy military industrial complex. We depend upon your generosity. Please give all you can to support our organizing for peace.

Join PDA Taking Action For Peace
Be a Change Makes Peace Sustainer