I'm retiring from my civilian job on Friday, and then Mary has a nice, two-week vacation planned for us. We'll get to spend Mother's Day with her mom, and we'll spend some time in Myrtle Beach with her family.
In September I plan to walk across Illinois, from Quincy to Danville, to raise awareness of and support for our servicemen and women who are serving around the world. My plan is to walk about 10 miles each day, weather and other conditions permitting.
Though personally a pacifist, to the extent that I can get away with being a pacifist, I am a retired U.S. Army veteran. When I say that I am personally a pacifist, I mean that I prefer almost any reasonable means before violence, and that I would resort to violence only in self-defense or in defense of others (in a personal setting). I did not serve in the military as a conscientious objector.
Here is an interesting quote about war: "War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself." John Stuart Mill (1806‒1873)
That pretty much expresses my point of view of war, namely that it is a necessary evil (diplomacy carried on by other means). That does not mean that I consider those who honorably serve their country in the military as being evil. I do not. It is certainly honorable to put yourself in harm's way to defend your nation and to protect from harm those you love. I served first as an active duty soldier in the Army Security Agency, and later in both the Army Reserve and Illinois Army National Guard. I retired from the National Guard.
In the near future (probably as soon as May or June), I plan to drive the proposed route for planning purposes. Once I get on the road on foot, I’ll get out some news releases so people have some idea of when I’m coming through their area. Some local folks may want to come out and walk with me for part of the way, and I welcome such participation. If anyone wants to donate funds, those funds will go to Army Emergency Relief, 200 Stovall Street, Alexandria, VA 22332. I do not propose to use any such funds for expenses for the walk.
Several friends have asked whether I’ll be camping out, staying with friends, or staying in motels. The short answer is that I don’t yet know. My route survey and people’s receptiveness, friendliness, and support will play a role in where I rest my weary head. I’ll be available for photo opportunities and brief discussions, but I do not propose to embroil myself in lengthy or angry discussions. I am what I am, a patriotic American who cares about the members of his country’s armed forces.
We are a nation at war. Our service members are serving in harm’s way throughout the world, in many cases in actual combat. This is not a political blog. It is a blog in support of our troops. The walk is not a political statement. The lives of those of us who are living in peace and prosperity here in the relative safety of our homeland are more secure because of those who are serving in our military. They serve on our behalf. They represent us. They stand watch and protect us. And they lay down their lives when called on to do so.
The mission of this walk across Illinois is to remember those who have given their lives for our country, to raise awareness of those who are missing in action or who are prisoners of war, and to honor those who have served and those who are serving. I believe in the power of prayer to an almighty God, and I pray for our soldiers, airmen, sailors, and marines. As a born-again believer in Jesus Christ, I do not wrap the cross in the American flag: of course my ultimate citizenship is elsewhere, but that kingdom is not of this world, to paraphrase the words of Jesus, and I propose to continue to be of earthly usefulness for as long as I live on God’s green earth.
It’s my intention to update this blog from the road, with text and pictures.
I see no conflict between serving God and being an honorably discharged veteran. If you are like-minded, please let me hear from you. I can be reached at robloyal@aol.com.
Sincerely,
Rob Siedenburg
