justplainbil

Just Plain Bill

Weapons of Mass Destruction

It may seem peculiar to read this, but the thought came to mind recently that current events will always be with us (hence the word “current”). The current events of today have triggered personal memories from once upon a time current events in the histories of our country and my family.  

At the writing of this blog, our country is considering what steps to take in response to the use of chemical weapons on the citizens of a country engaged in a civil war. An estimated 1,400 men, women, and children died from the effects of a weapon supposedly banned by international agreement.

I can’t even imagine what that might feel like, but the event has reminded me of a conversation with my mother over 55 years ago, when I was dropping out of college after my first year to join the service. It was a strange conversation because rarely, if ever, did my mom talk about her oldest brother George. Most of my mom’s family of eight siblings lived into their 80s and beyond (Mom passed at age 96).

Mom shared that George had been exposed to mustard gas while fighting on the German front in 1916. It disabled him and he struggled to live a normal life until finally passing quite young – in his early 30s.  Now I’m reminded that was the event that led to the prohibition against the use of chemical warfare – something that has unfortunately been engaged in my tyrants of many stripes.

Sharing her brother’s story was mom’s way of making sure I understood the potential horrors my service commitment might bring. I’m very fortunate that neither I nor anyone else in my family has been exposed to combat or has ever had to face the destructive actions perpetrated by a ruthless regime leader under pressure to resign.

I will continue to hope for a peaceful resolution of what appears to be a “no-win” choice for our President.