How do acknowledge this f***ed up war, its waste and uselessness, and still honor our military people?

I am a pacifist, but I was once a member of the US Army. Last night I had a dream in which I was back in the military, and mad because I wasn't able to do my job, which was military intelligence. I also had my dog, Laika, with me, and I wasn't supposed to. I was trying to hide her. In this dream, I was leaving books on social justice and real MI operations where the commander could read them. Hmm. Could it be that I have been reading Hicks' book, Fiasco: the American Adventure in Irag? What a waste, what sadness and despair, for nothing. How many people have to die? How do we end this?

I am reminded of two songs. One is Eliza Gilykson's "Tender Mercies" on her album Land of Milk and Honey. The last verse goes: "Across the world she holds her loved ones to her chest, lays them down and listens at the door. Everyone is safe and warm in the land of the truly blest. How can we even dare to ask for more?" The other one is Bob Dylan's "Masters of War," from his 1963 album, The Free-Wheelin' Bob Dylan.

I wonder how we can protest this war, yet not belittle the efforts and sacrifices of our enlisted people? We need to embrace them without insulting their honor. Sure, in the words of the philospher Sting, "Pawns in the game are not victims of chance." But to dismiss our people in Iraq as mere pawns is an insult. I dunno.