Just Wars

Today my pastor chose to speak in honor of Veterans' Day; he attempted to explain the theory of "just war," a prickly topic if ever there was one.

Now, my older son serves in an elite unit, the 82nd Airborne. (He enlisted because, after over 200 resumes in the first George W. recession, the best job he could get was jerking coffee at Borders, and the student loans were breathing down his neck.)

After the sermon, when time came for the Pastoral Prayer and the pastor asked us for "joys and concerns" (it's a Methodist thing), I spoke up.

I don't usually speak up. I don't like having serving persons sing "Happy Birthday" to me in restaurants either.

But I had to speak up.

"The next time my son receives orders to step on an airplane, fly somewhere, and kill people, I want to know he's doing it for the right reasons."