I Pledge©

there was a war

     it's always the case

I decided to go

     wore khaki and saluted

          a reluctant warrior

               carried a gun

     people went crazy shooting an M-1

a past unredeemed

     present dishonored

          thoughtless patriotism

               unshackled prejudice

                   gorging greed

     defend against all such enemies

engage in search for an antidote

     dance with the stranger

         respect the unloved

              challenge the unloving

honor the veterans

     of war

honor the veterans 

     of peace

the pledge

       revised and extended 

     I joined the National Guard my senior year in high school and thus began a life-long oft-time

troublesome relationship with the military and, at one time, I considered becoming a conscientious objector. I served in the Infantry in Korea during the so-called "Forgotten War" and later surrendered my M-1 in return for a Chaplain's Cross and retired from the US Naval Reserve after twenty years of service. During the Vietnam War I was also a full-time Campus  Minister.

     I honor the decision of those who serve in the military to defend democracy and protect the values of this country. I also honor those who conscientiously resist serving in the military to follow a higher calling as they understand it.

     I am disturbed at the too narrowly defined patriotism and jingoist diatribe that is all too often on display in our Independence Day observances. 

     I wrote the above poem this afternoon but it reflects a life time of rethinking. I offer it not to agitate but to encourage reflection.

                               Max