It’s not like Memorial Day in the States or other places I know.  The losses are immediate and real.  Soldiers, victims of terrorism, mourners – most people around here have one sort of pdsd or another.

As for soldiers, there is no doubt that we have a terrible “sacrifice of isaac” syndrome, that we send our sons to protect us. We endanger them to save ourselves.  Sons, lovers, fathers – all all lost.

As for PTSD – a guy who kept claiming he needed help for his PDSD set himself on fire in the offices yesterday.  Beyond desperate for help, it was the only way he could get attention, because we really don’t like to acknowledge this “weakness” of ours.  But I imagine seeing your seven best friends being blown up in the jeep in front of your jeep might have a lasting affect, don’t you?  

They managed to save the guy, for now.  

And it happens that this year our terrible memorial day falls on the eve of Ramadan.