Today is not about politics. It's about remembering that the freedoms we too easily take for granted came at the highest imaginable cost. We are all in the debt of the fallen - and while it is a debt which can never be repaid, it is essential that we try to prove ourselves worthy of their sacrifice every day.
On this Memorial Day, please take time in your thoughts to express gratitude to those who have died in the service of our country.
The loss of mankind to war has been the greatest loss to mankind.
ReplyDelete@Stilton: Amen. A heartfelt, but insufficient "Thank you" to all of them, and may God rest them.
ReplyDeleteAs usual, I placed patriotic bouquets on the tombs of my five veterans in three different cemeteries...none died in war but few words ever recounted about their war experiences...just happy that all came home alive.
ReplyDeleteOur local cemeteries are adorned with small American flags around the perimeter and some on the graves as well.
Never forget them.
In trying to come up with something to say to honor our fallen heroes, I came across some very sobering statistics. In all recorded human history, only around 5% of the time was there no mention of any wars on the planet. Since 1495 there has never been a 25 year period without war. The longest period the US went without being involved in a conflict was 5 years from 1806 to 1811. As it appears that war is as much a part of human activity as anything else, perhaps the best that we can hope for our lost soldiers is that they did not die for nothing.
ReplyDeleteI know it won't make one iota of difference to anyone except me, but I will refuse to use this day as an excuse to grab the first big deal of summer. On this one day Walmart, K-Mart, assorted furniture stores, car dealers, etc. can perform auto-intercourse.
ReplyDeleteRather I will spend this day with family, and while we may enjoy an outside barbeque, and even an adult beverage, the day will be one for somber reflection of real heroes.
Like the pilot my father witnessed who did not bail out of his seriously crippled craft, instead keeping with it long enough to crash with it in an area away from a civilian village in Korea. That pilot gave his life for many innocents that day. That is just one account my father cannot tell without tears.
Those are the type of people who should be remembered this day. Remember the veteran, and perhaps a special thought for those of the "forgotten" war. There will be time for the gangrene of modern politics tomorrow.
Amen and Vaya Con Dios, as my grandmother used to say.
ReplyDelete"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends" May we always have this greatness. Thank you to all who have served.
ReplyDeleteAmen to all that has been said. I too will be spending the day with family going to cemeteries to give honor to those who have passed on before. There will be red, white, and blue on the grave of my dad who was part of "the greatest generation."
ReplyDeleteWe owe it all to the Fallen.
ReplyDeleteI usually stay home on Memorial Day but I don't begrudge anyone what they choose to do this day. Whether it's placing flags on graves, getting drunk on the beach somewhere or finding a killer deal on lawn furniture, the men and women who sacrificed all for this nation probably won't mind either. They fought for freedom and liberty, for a nation that values the individual and their pursuit of happiness. I suspect the men and women that gave all are smiling down on all of us, enjoying watching us enjoy the freedoms they fought so hard for.
ReplyDeleteMy Dad was in the Air Force and served in Korea. I recently found this "prayer" in his papers frpm the 50's:
ReplyDeleteSoldier's Prayer From Korea
Our father who is in Washington, Ike be thy name. Deliver us this day our monthly pay, and forgive us the regulation that we have broke, as we forgive those that made them against us. Lead us into no police action, but deliver us from Korea. Give thy glory to thy National Guard and thy draft dodgers who stay at home and entertain our wives while we are away, but Ike give thy mercy upon them when we get back.
My father came home from Korea, but bore the scars from his experience for the rest of his life. I thank God for those brave men and women who sacrificed so much we could enjoy freedom. I pray we can keep it.
I Again wept for my father.
ReplyDelete@Readers- I want to thank you for all the sentiments and shared stories. And my heart goes out to everyone who has lost someone special.
ReplyDeleteWell, as always I'm late to the party, but a hearty God Bless America & Thank You to every soul that has served this great country.
ReplyDeletePS, let me know if you see a "bump" in traffic SJ, I "pinged" H&C with some new software I've been trying out. ;)