Political signs aren’t common at funerals. I remember when Paul Wellstone’s supporters exhibited a bit of, to my taste, over-the-top theatrics at his memorial ceremony. But on Tuesday, I saw political signs for the first time in person at the funeral of Army Sergeant James C. Akin. And it felt just right.
Akin and three other soldiers were killed June 3 by a roadside bomb in
I agree that it’s hard to talk about politics and the devastating loss of young men at war in the same breath. In some cases, it’s inappropriate. As I was leaving the services at
Along with his family, faith in Jesus and military service, Democratic politics was a central focus of his efforts to make
Sergeant Akin was born and raised in
So, flexing signs kindly printed by Focus Ink, many in the huge crowd proclaimed, “James Akin for President.” There were military lifers side-by-side with anti-war activists, all mourning and celebrating the life of a young American hero who felt so genuinely the promise of every person, and believed so deeply in freedom, that he put his beliefs into action at tremendous personal risk.
Even though, in the words of one speaker today, Akin thought
But he wasn’t content to lead a life of military action alone. James also believed in a government and society dedicated to helping all. On the front of his funeral service program was a paraphrase of an FDR line: “Remember always that the measure of our progress is not whether we can provide more for those who have plenty, but whether we can provide enough to those who have little.” It’s hard not to see the influence of Jesus in the words of FDR or in the deeds of James Akin.
No party owns patriotism, family, freedom, Jesus
Some folks may disagree with Akin’s – and our military’s – commitment to the use of force. Others will disagree with his vision for a compassionate, activist American government. But I don’t think anyone doubts his commitment, sincerity and sacrifice. I want to thank James for reminding all of us that patriotism, family, freedom and the teachings of Jesus are not the sole property of any one political party, and also that they are thoroughly compatible with what many of us on the political left believe. In fact, James would, I think, say they’re inseparable.
As a small side note – and this is very small in the context of Tuesday’s events – Fred Phelps’ awful band of bigots were scheduled to protest the funeral. These are the folks who believe that all American military deaths are divine retribution for the fact that
Sergeant Akin would probably revel in the irony of bigots drawing attention to the fact that our military defends a free country where, for the most part, we let people be who they are, where progressive, caring young men like Sergeant Akin are willing to die to protect their right to say whatever they want, no matter how bizarre or cruel. That is freedom. That is democracy. That is service. That is
Thank you, James, for your life. Thank you, Akin family, for shaping him and sharing him with us. We of every political persuasion should be so lucky as to have someone of Sergeant Akin’s caliber in the White House. Akin for president.
Bundy is the political and legislative director for AFSCME in