A hero’s farewell

A hero was buried in Arlington National Cemetery on Monday, one who was unique in his bravery and convictions. Desmond T. Doss Sr. was 87 when he died, the only conscientious objector to receive a Medal of Honor for his service in World War II. Doss was a medic in the war; he refused to carry a gun and instead saved lives in his service to our country.

While Doss endured ridicule for his decision, he was steadfast in his conviction that he would not take a life. He rescued 75 servicemen in Okinawa, carrying each one to safety at the edge of a cliff while under fire. His actions showed that peacemakers and pacifists can serve in our military and affect lives in a way that guns and mortar fire can’t.

When you hear the term “conscientious objector,” what images come to mind? Do you think of hippies stuffing daisies into gun barrels? Do you think of protesters and folk songs? Or do you think of a young man or woman in uniform, saving lives?

Conscientious objectors have served in the military as medics, clerics, cooks and in other roles throughout our country’s history. The decision _not_ to bear arms is a brave one: they’ve given up personal protection and instead sacrifice their safety to serve our men and women in the military. They could have chosen to stay in the private sector, but they didn’t.

I’m a pacifist, but the only uniforms I’ve worn were for food service and choir uniforms. I don’t wear patchouli, I tend to abhor the _hippie nouveau_ trend (’round my house the word “hippie” is usually intoned in a Cartman impersonation). I went to college instead of enrolling in the military, a decision I don’t regret, but I respect and appreciate those that decided to go into the service. It’s not a minor life decision and it’s one that needs to be respected. Doss made that decision and went above and beyond the call of duty to rescue his brethren, making him a hero in every sense of the word. His sacrifice and his legacy will not be forgotten.

[link](http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/04/04/doss.funeral.ap/index.html)