dispatches from the new world of work

Thanks!

A friend is heading home on leave from Iraq today. I thought I'd write him a note—then I decided to publish it here:

Dear _____, I am at an uncharacteristic loss for words. Hence, I don't know what to say other than "Thank you." As we both know, the war is a contentious issue here in the Homeland. Many think we must indeed stay the course; at least as many think the war is a reckless, counterproductive disaster.

Well, history is my hobby, and there is nothing new under the sun. On 4 July 1776, the majority of our Colonist forebears thought war with Great Britain was sheer madness. And so it has been ever since. Civil War proponents and opponents, North and South, were about evenly divided—and insanely passionate about their respective views. In WWI, Wilson was seen as a madman. In the "obvious" WWII where the stakes were "clear," millions upon millions thought FDR was a mad warmonger. And we all know about "my war"—Vietnam. I was in I Corps-Danang for the 4th in 1966—while at Kent State just a couple of years later the level of disputatiousness rose to a point where domestic blood flowed, children's blood no less.

The Middle East is a godawful mess. We will argue for 100 years about the rightness or wrongness of the path we have chosen. But whether through diplomacy or arms, there must be some sort of resolution, most especially for the sake of your children and mine—that's always the point in the long run.

So thank you, from the bottom of my heart—especially on this special day. Your stunning sacrifice and willingness to voluntarily place yourself in Harm's Way is the price, alas, virtually every generation has borne to honor that tiny band of "insaniacs" (later called "Founding Fathers") who concluded on this date 231 years ago that their flavor of Freedom was important enough to merit David bearding Goliath—the odds of their success on 07.04.1776 were miniscule, the price of their almost certain failure, unspeakable.

Thank you, TJP

Tom Peters posted this on 07/04/07.

Comments

tom-thanks for posting that. i have to say that I have been very pleasantly surprised with our citizenry's continued ability to keep the rank and file military separated from the political issue of the war (unlike in vietnam). you're right that there's no way of knowing how this will all go. i dont think anyone forsaw vietnam being where it is today after saigon fell and the certainly went through some extremely difficult times immediately afterward. in any event-HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

Posted by kurt at July 4, 2007 9:50 AM

Tom,
Thank you...for honoring one so dear to me. For the note worthy acknowledgement of the sacrifice he is making in a cause he believes in. And most of all for "Caring" - for him, his wife and their kids.

Thank you also for your service in a war (Viet Nam) that created such division in our great land. We have re-bounded only to fall prey to the same divisive battle (with politcal roots) waged at home and in the media to the detriment of our troops and our country. We as a country are exposed for the world to see!

his Mom

Posted by Diane at July 4, 2007 10:21 AM

My son has just returned from Iraq (UK forces) having worked for three months with you guys. He is now training for six months in Afghanistan (starting September).

He is a keen supporter of the US, its forces and what we ARE all achieving there.

Your country bears the heaviest losses.The UK suffers with you and the vast majority of the country sides with you despite what the press may say.

BTW enjoy the (your) day.

Posted by Stuart Jones at July 4, 2007 2:28 PM

Tom, thanks for the thoughtful piece.

Posted by Steve Dragoo at July 4, 2007 3:47 PM

For those of us who served, these special days are a reminder that we are in the minority of men who have worn our uniform(you didn't mention Korea). Thanks for your acknowledgement of today's United States Armed Forces and we say "God Bless America".

Posted by John Vrba at July 4, 2007 4:33 PM

Best wishes to all American friends on your celebrations on 4th July - proud to know you all -enjoy your day.

Trevor

Posted by Trevor Gay at July 4, 2007 5:43 PM

Tom, my son just headed back to Iraq after his two-week leave. He's midway in his second tour there as an Army medic.

Your words were right on the money. I'm going to forward them to him. While he was home, many expressed similar sentiments. Whatever their broader view, many expressed their appreciation for his service.

Thanks for your service with the SeaBees, Tom. Thanks for your heart-felt words this day.
.

Posted by Joe Ely at July 5, 2007 7:48 AM

John Vrba, dreadfully sorry for the Korea lapse--alas, Korean vets are often forgotten. Korea, by the by, is the reason I can forgive Ted Williams his Barry Bonds-like behavior.

Posted by tom peters at July 6, 2007 8:53 AM