Let's Have Fewer Dead Americans To Honor On Memorial Day
- Charles I. Guarria
- May 25
- 4 min read
(Update 05/25/2026)
The last time the United States declared war was June 4, 1942. Surprised? You might be more surprised to learn the US took aim at Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania in that war declaration.
Yet, the US has been warring a whole lot since the end of World War II without declaring war. The results of which often lead to a tie on the battlefield and a loss of lives, both literally in battle and figuratively, when the returning military personnel attempt to restart their home lives.
An unfortunate scenario that is once again playing out in Epic Fury AKA, the US-Iran War, as 13 U.S. citizens have lost their lives.
Though President Donald J. Trump has forged numerous peace deals, leading some to suggest he should receive the Nobel Peace Prize this October. He still found justification to strike three Iranian nuclear facilities, Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan, with bunker buster bombs and cruise missiles in June of 2025 and begin a war of choice against Iran this February,
He also uses the drug war as cover to blow up boats with Venezuelans on them just because he thinks it’s right.
Congress has done nothing to stop any of the US wars since 1942. What gives? They are feckless. Presidents don't push for Congress to back them when they decide to use US military might because they know the House and Senate have seeded power on this issue
It is so shameful that US elected "leaders" couldn't find the gumption to declare war after the 9-11 terrorist attacks.
Off the top of my head, since WW II, there was the Korean War, Vietnam War, two wars against Iraq, NATO air war in Yugoslavia, military actions in Afghanistan, Grenada, Iran, Panama, Venezuela, and now Epic Fury, adding up to maimed, wounded or dead Americans and scores of homeless veterans.
Wouldn't it be great if we didn't have so many dead military personnel and veterans to honor? At the very least, shouldn't the people responsible for sending citizens into battle put their name on the decision by voting?
Almost every single one of the military actions I named above had no bearing on US security, lasted too long, created untold death, blew apart families, and brought back veterans who are not properly cared for by the federal government.
If we stopped exporting war, started exporting peace, we'd have fewer Veterans and fewer dead people to honor.
"My preferred foreign policy is exporting our values via voluntary trade and exchange and not militarism," 2024 Libertarian presidential nominee Chase Oliver said in a Reason Magazine interview. "I would seek to basically close overseas bases, remove our military footprint, and bring our military back in line with its true mission, which should be defending ourselves from invasion, not exporting and going into war all over the world."
I am with Mr. Oliver.
The US should maintain the capability to annihilate any entity that truly threatens its sovereignty. Israel's belief that Iran is a threat to its sovereignty doesn't mean Iran constitutes a threat to the United States' sovereignty.
When the USA's sovereignty isn't threatened, it should step aside and let other countries defend themselves.
In the case of Iran, Israel, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, to name a few, could have formed a coalition to achieve what the US has done. For the record, I would be okay with the US military industrial complex selling such a coalition the weapons. At least that is capitalism and not the government representing We the People in yet another war that slaughters our families and neighbors to protect other nations. Let them protect themselves
Another example is Europe. The United States can be in Europe with a much smaller footprint. It doesn't have to lead over there anymore; Those countries can fend for themselves.
Whether you like President Trump or not, he isn't my cup of tea; what he has done in Iran and the Venezuelan strikes runs counter to how he has actively engaged in seeking peace between other countries. Positioning the US as a negotiator attempting to bring the world to a more peaceful place.
Peace is spoken of rhetorically in DC. However, Republican and Democratic actions speak louder.
One need look no further than the war-mongering Joe Biden and every single person in Congress who has gone along with funding Ukraine.
I can think of two Republicans who aren't warmongers: Rand Paul and Thomas Massie. Both of whom are really Libertarians, but if they ran as such, they wouldn't get the money needed to win, so they attach an R next to their name. It will soon be one Republican, Rand Paul, as Massie lost the primary to Trump-backed Ed Gallrein.
This isn't a slight to anyone who signs up to defend the United States of America. I did. I was an officer in the US Army Reserve, lucky to have not fought.
Losing a loved one or seeing homeless veterans as a result of wars that were not needed is tragic. Circumstances like that should be make-believe. A script fit for Hollywood, not the reality of family and friends living across the fruited plain.
In the US, a phrase heard often goes something like this, "we are a peaceful people.'
Partly true.
We the People are peaceful.
We the federal government, is not.
A country can't claim to be peaceful while constantly at war or funding a war,
Charles I. Guarria is an author, reporter and host based in the state of Florida, USA, covering any topic, anywhere in the world. His career began in 2009. Mr. Guarria is a three-time winner of Emerald Group Publishing’s Highly Commended Award and host of The Opinion Guy Fun Friendly Informative. He is available for hire to write, research, or beta-read.
Please support this blog and my show, The Opinion Guy, by buying me a tea. Thank you!
Please like, comment, and share!
Sign-up for exclusives and first to know!
See ya soon!
Photo credits: Des Moines Register, Mark Reinstein/Corbis/Getty Images
Comments