I am so fucking sick of the "It's an honor" meme

I get it. People are really sick of going to war and the idea of war is becoming about as justified as encouraging your kids to play Russian roulette for their college tuition. So I get why people are sick of it.<br><br>My son wants to be a mechanic. He wants to make cars fast. He wants to own his own business. He wants to be self sufficient and make a ton of money doing it.<br><br>My son is 17. He is going to join the army. He is doing it for the money. I told him not to. I told him it would be terrible for a kid like him. I told him he would go crazy. I told him I'll help him get his degree, but there is no helping. He thinks this is what he was made to do.<br><br>I take pride in my son. I'm going to be proud of him no matter what he does. It doesn't really matter that this isn't what I wanted for him.<br><br>So here is my list of honor, and how I feel about it:<br><br>1. It's an honor for my son to join the military. I will be so proud of him for this. (He is a good kid)<br><br>2. It's an honor for him to go to war. I will be so proud of him for this. (He does not want to go to war, but I will still be proud)<br><br>3. It's an honor for his face to be blown off. I will be so proud of him for this. (I would be devastated, but still proud)<br><br>4. It's an honor for him to be burned alive. I will be so proud of him for this. (I would be devastated, but still proud)<br><br>5. It's an honor for him to get PTSD. I will be so proud of him for this. (I would be devastated, and he will be too)<br><br>6. It's an honor for him to develop a drug addiction. I will be so proud of him for this. (I would be devastated)<br><br>7. It's an honor for him to die in a homeless shelter. I will be so proud of him for this. (I would be devastated. I would rather die myself)<br><br>It is so God damn pathetic to be a veteran who was spit on 30 years ago and still go on thinking you are a hero who deserves attention and fame.<br><br>I know it's not your fault you joined the military because you wanted to serve your country. But you still joined the military. And you still fought for your country. But war is a ridiculous thing. I know your feelings were hurt when people spit on you and how that hurt. But you're still a bad person for thinking you were right.<br><br>I'm sorry you still don't see it. I'm sorry you won't let go.<br><br>But still, thank you for your service. I am so grateful you risked everything for this country. And I will never stop thanking you and telling you how proud I am of you.