Remembering America’s Future Fallen Heroes

“I think that people want peace so much that one of these days government had better get out of their way and let them have it.”
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

Before it became a holiday of car races, hotdogs, beer, and white sales, Memorial Day was designated as a day to commemorate U.S. citizens who had died in military service. It was a day set aside to reflect on, and honor the sacrifices made by servicemen and women to protect our freedom. Is it still that day? Cynics might say no, optimists yes, but I think deep in the hearts and minds of most Americans - whether they spend the day watching a race, grilling brats, chugging some beers, or shopping for sheets - lies a germ of a recollection of the true meaning of the holiday.

On this Memorial Day, if or when you reflect on those throughout history who have paid the ultimate price to secure liberty, I would ask that you also take a moment to think of those unknown and possibly yet unborn heroes who will someday fall on some distant battlefield in the name of freedom, democracy, humanitarianism, or regime change. Picture the eager young faces of future warriors as they loyally perform the duties and carry out the commands they are given by some future president who commits them to battle. A president who, if the recent past is any indication, will make this commitment without a congressional declaration of war as is mandated by the Constitution, or as in the case of our current engagement in Libya, without even abiding by the provisions of the War Powers Act (which, by the way, might itself be unconstitutional).

Sometime during the festive holiday, I hope you will contemplate how many of these future fallen heroes might be saved if presidents and congresses actually governed within the constraints outlined in the Constitution in which they have sworn to “preserve, protect, and defend.” The Constitution gives Congress, and only Congress, the power to declare war, raise and support an army and navy, and “provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repeal Invasions.” The only thing the Constitution says about the President regarding military action is, “The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States.” In short, Congress declares war, and the President commands the troops once they are called into “actual service.” Nowhere does the Constitution explicitly or implicitly grant the President the power to unilaterally commit armed forces for the purpose of spreading democracy, initiating regime change, preventing some perceived threat to national interests, or establishing a “no-fly zone” to preempt a possible humanitarian calamity (or oust the leader of another sovereign country).

The Libertarian Party platform states:

3.1 National Defense
We support the maintenance of a sufficient military to defend the United States against aggression.The United States should both avoid entangling alliances and abandon its attempts to act aspoliceman for the world. We oppose any form of compulsory national service..

3.3 International Affairs
American foreign policy should seek an America at peace with the world. Our foreign policy shouldemphasize defense against attack from abroad and enhance the likelihood of peace by avoidingforeign entanglements. We would end the current U.S. government policy of foreign intervention,including military and economic aid. We recognize the right of all people to resist tyranny anddefend themselves and their rights. We condemn the use of force, and especially the use ofterrorism, against the innocent, regardless of whether such acts are committed by governments or by political or revolutionary groups.

This Memorial Day, remember America’s fallen heroes, past, present, and future.

Next Election Day, protect America’s future military men and women.

Vote Libertarian.

“It has too often been too easy for rulers and governments to incite man to war.”
- Lester B. Pearson