Monday, May 30, 2011

Memorial Day

I've decided to "re-run" what I wrote last Memorial Day, because I feel like something should be said and I don't think I can top myself.

I know everyone sees this as a day to party or see a movie or open the pool, but try to give some thought today about the dead. And not just the obvious ones. Yes we remember those who stormed Normandy or fell in 'Nam. We remember those who fought in the Pacific. We remember all those Americans who killed each other at Gettysburg and Antietam. But let's remember ALL of them. Remember the ones in Iraq and Afghanistan. Remember the ones in all other military conflicts abroad that don't earn the memorable "american war" status. Remember the ones in Korea. Remember the ones in World War I. Remember those in the War of 1812, the Spanish-American War, the Mexican-American War. Remember all who fell at the Alamo. Remember the American Revolution beyond the tea parties and committees; beyond frozen wooden teeth crossing the Delaware. Remember the men. Remember the women. Remember the white, the black, the hispanic, the American indian, the Asian, the arab, the gay, the straight, the old and the all-too-young. Remember those who died on the ground and those who died in the air. Those who fled sinking ships and those who went down with them. Those who stood against the British, and those who fought beside them. Remember the medics who tended the wounded, even at the cost of their own lives. Remember those who served and never saw combat, but have died with the distinction of serving our country however they could in whatever thankless job in time of crisis. Remember the typists, clerks and translators. Remember the recruiters and technicians. Remember the people at home who suffered loss, and the ones they wept for. Remember the Army, the Navy, the Marines, the Air Force, the Coast Guard, the minutemen, the militias, the National Guard. Remember them, and never forget.

"War must be, while we defend ourselves against a destroyer who would devour all; but I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend." --
Lord of the Rings, book IV, chapter 5

3 comments:

  1. Thanks, Jon. At my answering service job this morning a woman caller, disturbed that her doctor's office was not open asked, "What kind of a stupid holiday is this, anyway?!" I think you answered that question quite well!

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  2. You can't top yourself. I'd like to read the blog every year. Thanks.

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  3. Thanks, TK. Memorial Day grew from "Decoration Day," commemorated mostly in the south, a day to visit the cemetery and spruce up the gravesites. In doing so, the lives of the deceased were recalled and honored. So, lets also remember all the deceased who have been part of our lives and most especially our departed parents.

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