Opinion

OP-ED: Honor Veterans by Waging Peace

Published

10 years ago

November 24, 2015

By Anh Le

Veterans Day is a time to reflect on the tragedy of war.

We remember how certain wars, started and waged by our own government and elected officials, have been borne by ordinary young American men and women, rather than by those who commenced those wars.

When President George W. Bush ordered the invasion against Iraq in 2003, he claimed that Iraq possessed “weapons of mass destruction.” He even ordered Secretary of State Gen. Colin Powell to the United Nations to give a speech repeating that claim.

Yet there were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.

Even though President Barack Obama has reduced the number of American troops in Iraq, U.S. troops still remain there. Iraq’s people still suffer from the destruction of its land and infrastructure that occurred during the war; and the war and fighting and killing continue.

After the invasion of Iraq began, a friend of mine, Paul, an army veteran who had been captured by the Nazis in France during World War II and was a prisoner of war, said to me, “Damn it, this war that Bush is starting against the Iraqis, do you see his kids being sent over there? Do you see any kids of senators and congressmen being sent over there? Do you see the kids from privileged and rich families over there? No, it’s always somebody else’s kid!”

What my friend Paul said is as relevant today as it was then – not only for the U.S. War in Iraq, but also for our country’s War in Afghanistan and War in Vietnam, which ended in 1975.

On Veterans Day, I met a Filipino American bus driver who was wearing an Army Infantryman beret that his son wore. His son was in the Army for two years, when he was killed in Afghanistan at the age of 19 in 2011.

The Pentagon told him how his son died. However, individuals who are familiar with the circumstances of his death shared with him a much different version than the one provided by the Pentagon.

This father and his family grieve deeply for their son each day.

In commemorating Veterans Day and honoring those who have served in the military, I also see what others see throughout our communities every day: Veterans whose lives have been damaged by their war experiences, many of whom are now homeless, disabled, and begging for help on our street corners.

During the Vietnam War, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered a sermon, “A Time To Break The Silence,” at Riverside Church in New York City, on April 4, 1967, calling for an end to the war.

“We as a nation must undergo a radical revolution of values. We must say of war, ‘This way of settling differences is not just,’“ he said.

Dr. King condemned the American military’s use of herbicides and napalm against the Vietnamese people and declared he could no longer remain silent when he thought of all the Vietnamese children, women, and men killed by our nation’s war effort.

He stated that a nation “sending men home from bloody battlefields, physically damaged and psychologically deranged, cannot be reconciled with wisdom, justice, and love.”

“A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death,” he said.

Let us remember Dr. King’s sermon. Let us reclaim our belief in the sanctity of human life. Let us turn swords into plowshares.

Let us work for peace in our world.

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Oakland Post: Week of March 18 – 24, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of March 18 – 24, 2026

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2 weeks ago

March 22, 2026

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Oakland Post: Week of March 11 -17, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of March 11 – 17, 2026

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3 weeks ago

March 17, 2026

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Advice

Women & Wealth: Tips for Navigating Your Lifelong Financial Journey

Published

3 weeks ago

March 15, 2026

Oakland Post

Sponsored by J.P. Morgan Wealth Management

We are in the midst of a seismic shift in wealth. This phenomenon, often referred to as the “Great Wealth Transfer,” describes the unprecedented movement of assets from the Baby Boomer generation to their heirs – an estimated $105 trillion by 2048. And women are poised to inherit most of this.

J.P. Morgan Wealth Management’s 2025 Investor Study found that women are not only set to receive significant wealth – they’re actively working to build it on their own. Ninety-three percent of women surveyed who are expecting an inheritance aren’t relying on it to reach their goals.

Here are a few tips for women to consider in their wealth-building journey:

Create a financial roadmap

A detailed, well thought out plan is important. J.P. Morgan’s study found that 90% of those surveyed with a plan feel confident about reaching their financial goals, compared to 49% without one.

Your plan should reflect your unique goals, priorities and circumstances. Consider your investment horizon and risk tolerance, and remember to revisit your plan regularly as life evolves.

Are you saving up for goals like buying a house, sending your kids off to college or retiring early? Where do you want to be in the next five, ten or twenty years? Everyone’s financial situation is unique, so it’s important to think about these questions and build a plan that is unique to your life.

Women tend to live longer than men on average. Many take career breaks or care for family members, which can influence long-term planning. It’s important to adjust your strategy with these factors in mind.

Where to start with investing

Don’t let misconceptions hold you back. Starting to invest doesn’t require a large sum, and beginning early can be beneficial. The earlier you start, the more time your money has to potentially grow over the years. Understand your overall financial situation, set clear goals and develop a long-term plan.

It’s important to also make sure you’re covered for unexpected expenses that come up before you start to invest. Build up a cash emergency fund, typically enough to cover three to six months of expenses, and pay down any high-interest debt.

Taking charge of your finances

The good news is that women are taking charge of their finances. J.P. Morgan’s research found that 75% of women respondents make financial decisions with their partner or take the lead themselves. For those who have a spouse or partner, it’s important for each person in the relationship to play an active role in the process.

Building wealth can be empowering for many women. The same survey found that 73% of women respondents said money gives them “security,” while 64% of Gen Z and Millennial women associated it with “freedom.”

The power of having a team

Some people find it helpful to work with a financial advisor, so you don’t have to tackle things alone. An advisor can help you craft a plan tailored to your needs and keep you on track throughout your lifelong financial journey. If you expect to receive an inheritance, you should also consult with estate planning and tax professionals.

No matter where you are on your wealth-building path, education is key. It’s so important to be an informed investor, and there are plenty of resources out there to help. You can find a library of free educational resources at chase.com/theknow.

As the landscape of wealth continues to evolve, women have a unique opportunity to shape their financial futures and those of generations to come. By staying informed and planning ahead, women have the tools to help them confidently navigate the Great Wealth Transfer and set themselves up for financial freedom.

The views, opinions, estimates and strategies expressed herein constitutes the author’s judgment based on current market conditions and are subject to change without notice, and may differ from those expressed by other areas of J.P. Morgan. This information in no way constitutes J.P. Morgan Research and should not be treated as such. You should carefully consider your needs and objectives before making any decisions. For additional guidance on how this information should be applied to your situation, you should consult your advisor.  

JPMorgan Chase & Co., its affiliates, and employees do not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any financial transaction.  