I still remember the thrill of being lifted above the shoulders of others, feeling the sun on my face and the beat of the drums; the force of the blaring brass; and seeing the flags snapping in the wind.

I can still hear the crowd shouting. See the soldiers marching eyes straight ahead. What do they see ahead?

I looked down to see Jimmy, a neighbor, struggling, tangled in a sea of legs, briefly feeling bad he couldn’t see what I could, yet immediately feeling wonderful again, throwing up my arms, blinded by the sun, shouting “Where are they marching! Where! Where! Where!” And in a moment of dazzled exuberance, screaming, “We’re marching to war!”

Now, despite soldiers’ unwavering loyalty, selfless service, bravery and sacrifice, I know the truth about the march to war, that we march to the ovens and to the burning of flesh.

— April 29, 2026 —