Something That Matters

I'm a pretty big fan of Ben Stein's, partially because of his wit, partially because of his powerful mind, and partially just because I'd really like to win his money. And his thoughts on Memorial Day are shocking in the way that really strong, black coffee is shocking. It's a bit of a jolt to the system. But Ben makes a crucial misstep on this one by way of discussing his time with those who have lost loved ones in the Iraq war: "I spoke briefly and talked about how the loved ones missing from this dinner were the only people doing meaningful work in the world today as far as I could tell." A holiday that carries as overwhelming and often conflicting emotions as Memorial Day often ebbs toward the hyperbole in an effort to capture what really can't be captured. Perhaps it is that tendency to the dramatic that has ailed our usually spot on writer. But the bold women and men in uniform who are willing--and unfortunately sometimes called upon--to lay down their lives in the defense of liberty simply can't be the only ones doing meaningful work. If they were, there would be no true reason for them to do it. In other words, if teachers, ministers, physicians, rec league soccer coaches, Boys' and Girls' Club volunteers, and a whole host of others were not engaged in equally meaningful work, what would be the point of defending them? It is because there is so much worthy of protecting, so many that are doing truly valuable work, that these incredible soldiers march, sail, and fly into harm's way. That doesn't diminish their valor--it increases it.