My return home from Vietnam, despite its challenges, taught me a profound lesson: politicians and soldiers often make an uneasy combination. Witnessing the removal of the statue at Ole Miss, which represented the brave men who were called to fight for their state and died, only to be moved and covered up as a symbol of hate, deeply troubles me.

The flag of 1894, which has been transformed into a symbol of hate, is a complex matter. To some, it represents Southern resistance against the federal government and a fight for individualism. It’s worth noting that even the stars and stripes, the American flag, was carried by the same groups at the same time. Many flags from around the world have histories tied to various forms of slavery. Should we remove them all?

Soldiers who answer the call to fight when politicians fail to find peaceful solutions are often treated as expendable and forgotten. It’s strange how even soldiers can lose sight of what is right or wrong. Removing statues of American war heroes is a tragedy, and it’s likely that the country will pay a great price for this in the future. When the love for one’s country and the brave men who were willing to die to protect it are replaced by individuals who prioritize themselves and money over values like GOD and family, who will be willing to fight for our nation?

The recent actions of the 21 politicians in Congress who stood their ground against the many, protesting their concerns about new leadership, offer a glimmer of hope for the future. The spirit of rebellion against tyrannical governments flows through the veins of many American patriots. We all hope for peaceful solutions to the nation’s problems.

Every time the government takes a slice of your freedom, it brings us one step closer to a potential future rebellion. The government should be recognized as necessary but never blindly trusted. Time, the great enemy of every empire, has brought us closer to peril with each increase in debt.

Sometimes, it feels like I no longer belong in this world.