Tyler Boudreau’s Bicycle Tour

Dear Friends,

This weekend our country will celebrate its 233rd “Independence Day” with fireworks and flag-waving. While there is much to celebrate in the birth of our nation and the ideals of liberty and freedom that are the foundation of our constitution, much of the celebrating has become an exercise in glorifying war – the songs, the rolling tanks and armored vehicles on parade, the military shows of strength and glory. War is unfortunately a part of our heritage as a nation, but there is so much more to celebrate, and rather than glorifying war, we must be realistic about its financial and human costs. I think of the indigenous Americans who were displaced by the “birth” of the US, the thousands killed in our wars, and all the veterans who carry the ghosts of war with them.

This weekend, Missoula will be hosting Tyler Boudreau as he rides through on his cross-country bicycle tour. Tyler is a 12-year Marine veteran and he has written an amazing book about his experience in Iraq, his insights into the realities of war and his personal journey coming to terms with those realities in an attempt to heal and rediscover himself. His bike tour, called “the other side” is about the journey veterans – and communities — go through in getting to the other side of healing. He hopes to connect with communities across the country to broaden the discourse and figure out how to re-integrate and strengthen our democracy. I’ve talked with him several times and am impressed by his ability to both love the Marine Corps for the training and camaraderie he was a part of while also seeing realistically the tragedy and destruction our service men and women have been forced to be part of in Iraq. I am saddened that the veteran groups in town are not willing to join me in welcoming him, because I believe his voice could serve as a bridge to understanding. His reality is a threat to their vision of war as glorious service and humbling sacrifice. But it is a reality we all must know – for it is as much a part of our nation’s heritage now as the flags waving on porches this weekend. If we are to truly honor our veterans and celebrate our nation, we must look clearly at all the versions of the story. I hope that many of you will join me at a potluck welcome on Saturday evening (see below) to pause and consider how and what we celebrate. I can promise a provocative discussion with a remarkable veteran.

In celebration and honor,

Betsy