It is nearly impossible to visit Arlington National Cemetery and leave unmoved by the dedication and honor of those who serve in our nation's armed forces. Even a simple walk through the headstones let alone the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns or a visit to a family member's stone can make you feel like you should be doing more for our country. Elizabeth and I arrived in DC for a family vacation yesterday and took the boys to Arlington to see her grandfather's (and grandmother's) final resting place. It was surprisingly emotional considering that he passed away in 1994. But the story of his service, like the stories of so many from his generation, is inspiring and, given my own lack of service, intimidating. He was a physician and Army captain who was at Normandy a few days post-DDay, at the Bulge in the heat of the battle and the liberation of Nordhausen. He volunteered to staff medical facilities at other liberated camps. We have his diary from those months in the European theater.
One of my only regrets at this point in my life is that I never served our country in any branch of the armed forces. I came close (but you know what they say - ironically - about the only places where close counts). As a kid I wanted to join the Air Force (see earlier post "We're shooting for the stars") until I learned what that really meant, when the recruiter came to HUC to talk about chaplaincy I was one of a handful who went to hear his pitch, and after Bob Goodman's funeral (who was one of many Jewish veterans I've had the honor to eulogize), I came home and told Elizabeth I was going to sign up for either active duty or the reserves. My father in law and a friend who had completed the chaplaincy training course explained to me why I was "out of my mind." Anyway, for various reasons - most of which come down to privilege and sheer luck of timing for when I was born - military service was not such a pressing option. By the time 9-11 moved so many to enlist, I had two kids and other responsibilities, and, and...
The URJ and CCAR have passed resolutions recently promoting and encouraging service in the military chaplaincy. I think we'll have to do more than pass some resolutions. Like many others, I meet so many older Jewish men who served in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. I don't wish misery or death on anybody. I also know how horrible military service can be. But, it does seem that we've lost something these days that our older brothers, fathers and grandfathers possessed. It is amazing how few of us answer the call and how many of them did (I know, many by draft and not by choice). Maybe it's time to re-evaluate our priorities. Maybe we need to visit Arlington a little more often.
One of my only regrets at this point in my life is that I never served our country in any branch of the armed forces. I came close (but you know what they say - ironically - about the only places where close counts). As a kid I wanted to join the Air Force (see earlier post "We're shooting for the stars") until I learned what that really meant, when the recruiter came to HUC to talk about chaplaincy I was one of a handful who went to hear his pitch, and after Bob Goodman's funeral (who was one of many Jewish veterans I've had the honor to eulogize), I came home and told Elizabeth I was going to sign up for either active duty or the reserves. My father in law and a friend who had completed the chaplaincy training course explained to me why I was "out of my mind." Anyway, for various reasons - most of which come down to privilege and sheer luck of timing for when I was born - military service was not such a pressing option. By the time 9-11 moved so many to enlist, I had two kids and other responsibilities, and, and...
The URJ and CCAR have passed resolutions recently promoting and encouraging service in the military chaplaincy. I think we'll have to do more than pass some resolutions. Like many others, I meet so many older Jewish men who served in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. I don't wish misery or death on anybody. I also know how horrible military service can be. But, it does seem that we've lost something these days that our older brothers, fathers and grandfathers possessed. It is amazing how few of us answer the call and how many of them did (I know, many by draft and not by choice). Maybe it's time to re-evaluate our priorities. Maybe we need to visit Arlington a little more often.
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