I am more the patriot today as I march in protest and dissent than when I wore the uniform of a United States Marine. Nor am I less the warrior, armed with a bullhorn rather than an automatic weapon.

War is war. By whose command people are unecessarily dying is irrelevant. Hold war criminals accountable regardless of political party. If your son or daughter was killed in this war, would it make a difference if it was Bush, or Obama, or Romney, who ordered them to their deaths?

Marching in a parade neither educates nor informs about the realities of war. Rather it celebrates and perpetuates the myth of honor and glory, and "The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori." I will march no more.

I think that to wish someone a happy Memorial Day is to misunderstand its meaning.

To kill in an illegal and immoral war/occupation is not heroic, nor is it admirable or worthy of respect. Meaningless talk of heroism perpetuates the myth of honor and glory, masks the crimes of aggression and encourages and motivates others to become cannon fodder, murderers, and victims of corporate sponsored militarism and greed.

Maybe one day when we remember that we are animals, we will stop killing eachother like human beings.