Memorial Day (A Salute to the Military Women of the Multi-Verse)

It's Memorial Day today, and I'd like to take a moment to honor the women who've served and protected humanity across the multi-verse. They have made our worlds better, safer places to be, with their courage and sacrifice in the face of overwhelming odds.

To them, and to the real veterans who actually exist in our reality, we say thank you.

Starbuck (Battlestar Galactica)

She served as a pilot in what was essentially the air force, daily risking her life to go up against the Cylon drones. Her mission in life was to keep the people of the human fleet safe, and she sacrificed many times to do so. Defiant to the end, we can only be happy that Starbuck finally got her happy(-ish) ending, and is (probably) at peace now, having lived to not have to fight another day.

Peggy Carter (Captain America)

She might have been a non-combatant, but Agent Carter saw more of the front than most officers, and was instrumental in troop movements against HYDRA in WWII. Constantly fighting against sexism and proving herself to be a masterful tactician and planner, she helped bring the division through WWII, and went on to be a co-founder of SHIELD. She wasn't just Captain America's girlfriend, if anything, he was just her boyfriend.

Kate Kane (Batwoman)

Kate Kane didn't get the chance to see combat, so she took to the streets to live out her oath. She swore to protect the American people as a member of the United States Military, and when denied the opportunity to do so officially, she does it anyway. Her purpose is not personal, or revenge, or even a thrill-seeking need for adventure, but rather a desire to protect those around her from crime and anything that might threaten them. For staying true to the goals of the military even after being discharged, we salute her.

Zoe Washburne (Firefly and Serenity)

A veteran of the Independence, Zoe fought for the liberation of the outer rim planets from the tyrannical rule of the inner core planets. She didn't fight because it was fun, or because she wanted glory, but because she wanted to preserve the way of life and the liberty of her home. She fought on to the last, even when it was clear that they had lost, that their war was over, and that they would have to live on in a world that increasingly pressed in at the borders. Zoe fought because she believed in the cause, and even six years on would fight that same war again.

Eowyn (The Lord of the Rings)

Unsatisfied to stay at home and mind the city while her brother and uncle rode off to war, Eowyn followed them and fought alongside, because she knew that she could fight better than most men, and that her sword was needed in the battle to protect everything they held dear. Why wait and hope the battle has been won, if you know that you can help win the battle? And by killing the Witch King, she proved that not only was she needed on the field, but that her sword had quite literally saved the day.

There are many other fake heroes, and a lot of other real ones we honor today. So, with a nod to Dr. John Watson, John Winchester, and Michelle Rodriguez in like half the movies she does, let's toast to the people who keep us safe, and the prayer that someday they won't have to.

Technically a veteran.

Happy Memorial Day, everybody.