Remember those who didn’t make it home
I hope that on Memorial Day, when we honor our servicemembers who have given their lives to preserve our freedom, we include those who died as prisoners of war throughout our history. Those in the rat-infested cargo holes of British war ships during the Revolutionary War; those in camps during the Civil War; those who died in the Bataan Death March; those prisoners of war during World War II; and those who died in camps in Korea and Vietnam.
I have to wonder what our present commander in chief, who has never served, thinks of all those who died as prisoners of war since he said Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., is not a “war hero.” Then Trump went on to say that he himself should be considered a war hero since he was never captured. Does that mean only those who sacrificed their lives and were not captured are war heroes? I don’t believe families, relatives and descendants of those servicemembers who never came home consider them anything less than heroes. I know I do, and I will honor them all on Memorial Day.
Patrick Fagan Woodstock, Ga.
From its origin back in 1868 after the Civil War (known as Decoration Day then) until today, Americans celebrate this day in the honor of all those brave individuals who died while serving in the armed forces.
As immigrants to this country, my family and I are grateful for the liberties and freedoms provided to us — with the freedom of religion being very dear to us. I understand that none of this could ever be possible without the sacrifices of those brave men and women in our armed forces. Many Muslim Americans feel so strongly about the liberties afforded us, they serve in the armed forces to further secure our American ideals.
The Holy Prophet has said, “Love of one’s country is a part of faith.”
We implore our leaders, our representatives in this democratic government, to operate on principles of justice and to always strive to prevent the loss of innocent life. We should strive for peace instead of more war.
Arsalan Khan Woodbridge, Va.