Memorial Day-2007

[jon1856]

Memorial Day


“Every year at this time, I sit and try to write something moving, something
which will express my gratitude and respect for those who surrendered their
lives in service of this country.

Every year, I fail.

It isn't that I can't craft the words.

The problem always is the same. Our language doesn't contain words vivid
enough, deep enough, moving enough, to get the job done.

This is the day set aside to honor a special group of veterans. These aren't
just those who served- that comes in November. This day- Memorial Day- is for
those who served and lost life in that service.

I am a free man because of the sacrifice of those who served, and those who
died in service. I am free to read what I choose, to protest our government,
and to disagree with those whose views differ.

I am FREE.

This freedom I have was paid for by the blood of those valiant men and women
who we honor today. As long as I am alive, I will be grateful to them, and
when my time comes, I hope one of the first opportunities I have in the next
life is to thank them personally.

To those who lost loved ones in service: Your loss was not in vain, and I am
forever in your debt, too. May your sorrows be assuaged by the knowledge that
your loved one(s) made the world, and our home, better and safer.”

< head bowed in respect>

David B.
St. Louis

Dave, where ever you are today, I could not say it any better.

Next Monday, many of us will find ourselves on a beach or at a pool, up in the mountains or down by the shore, at a store or just in the backyard. Or perhaps even at work. But for every one of us enjoying ourselves, thousand are not. And will never again be able to.

This is the day, no matter what we are doing and where we are, we should pause and give a moment to those Men, Women, Boys and Girls who gave their all so we could be enjoying ourselves this weekend. And the next and the next…

If you see someone in uniform, stop and say “Thanks”. For no doubt, they have a few comrades who did not make it back.

And if you, while either walking or driving by, happen to see either a Blue Star Flag or a Gold Star Flag hanging in a house, give thanks and good thoughts to that family. If it is a Gold Star, someone gave their all.

And if there is a parade in your city, town, village or where ever you may be, please stop and take the time to be part of it.

Jon

A new addition (5/04) from David:
“Jon,

I'm right here, actually. I'm always surprised when I see that post
repeated online, because I never expected to see it saved by people.
I've seen it reposted in a number of places since I wrote it.

And I mean it as much now as I did when I wrote that a few years ago.

Everyone of those lives lost was one to be treasured, and we should
never forget them, whether they lost their lives in our war against
terrorism, the War for Independence, or, to use a line from
M*A*S*H, "the latest war to end all wars."

David

Just a few notes that I have saved from the ‘net for this day:
http://www.historychannel.com/cgi-bin/frameit.cgi?p=http%3A//www.historychannel.com/exhibits/memorial/memorial.html

http://www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html

O Valiant Hearts
O valiant hearts who to your glory came
through dust of conflict and through battle flame;
tranquil you lie, your knightly virtue proved,
your memory hallowed in the land you loved.

Proudly you gathered, rank on rank, to war
as who had heard God's message from afar;
all you had hoped for, all you had, you gave,
to save mankind — yourselves you scorned to save.
John Stanhope Arkwright’s hymn “O Valiant Hearts”.