I’m sitting in the central lobby of the VA hospital, waiting while my son gets an exam. Nothing bad – just a follow up on an ongoing issue.
This is a busy place. Most of the folks here are a little older. I don’t see more than one or two that look younger than 40, and most look as if they’re in their 60’s or 70’s. Most are men. A slight majority of light skin, but plenty of black and brown, as well. Lots of gray hair, whiskers, a few scraggly beards. Several are clean cut. Many caps, lots of them with military insignia, a couple with college names embroidered on them and at least one navy blue with an orange and white Astros star logo. One long-haired man with a hippie type bandana tied around his head. No MAGA hats. Not even one. Many t-shirts with military emblems, battalion or squadron names and numbers, wings and mottos. Lots of wheelchairs, canes, crutches, scooters. Many smiling and friendly faces. A few scowling or sadly vacant.
Along the wall behind me is a counter and above it hang emblems from each branch of the armed forces: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard. As I walked in, my eyes pricked with quick tears as they always do when I see these symbols, particularly the Marine Corps emblem. It’s such a misconception that those of us labeled liberals or Democrats don’t love our country or our military. It’s wrong to think we aren’t patriotic or that the flag means nothing to us just because many of us have no problem with or even appreciate those who kneel during the anthem. I appreciate that right BECAUSE I believe in America and what it means to have freedom to speak out. My son served in the Marine Corps, as did my ex-husband (his father), and his grandfather. If anyone thinks that because I’m a liberal their service is meaningless to me, they couldn’t be more wrong. I love this country, and a visit to a place like the VA really reinforces that. I loved beyond measure the years we lived on base while my husband was a pilot. I loved the fact that both of my older children were born “in the military.” I was always so proud when my 3-yr old little boy, who later became a Marine, would salute back to the guards at the base gates as we drove through, and then point to the flag and say, “Look Mommy, it’s the grand old flag!” And then he would sing not only the words to that song but also every word of the Marine Corps Hymn that I had taught him.
I guess those are just a couple of tiny reasons why what’s happening in this country today is so sad and frustrating to me. All those vets I see passing through the lobby. Was this what they served for, to see us so divided against each other? To see hate and vitriol spewing from the mouths of the ones who are supposed to be leading us?
No more deep introspection right now. I’ve been overdoing that the past couple of days! I’ll just hold onto this bright spot from today: Not one MAGA hat in sight. ❤️
House of Black and Blue 