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"The mystic cords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart . . . should swell into a mighty chorus of remembrance, gratitude and rededication on this solemn occasion."
Abraham Lincoln
Merged.
Over the weekend I've heard several references to Memorial Day being about "us", those who serve in the military. I've had to educate a few folks who wear our uniform. It's not about "us". Memorial Day honors those who have perished while in military service to their country. Veterans Day is about those who have served.
I think President Bush made a touching and genuine speech at Arlington National Cemetery this morning, memorializing those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the past year to include an army specialist and two navy SEALs who were buddies and died together in combat. They often carrying an American flag with them as they went on missions; both are buried side by side just as they lived.
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Both observations are right on, Stonewall....we remember those who have given their "full measure of devotion"...and President Bush's remarks about the Army soldier who was killed by an IED on his way back to base from building a soccer field for Iraqi children and the 2 SEALS who served, died, and were buried side by side were moving tributes to the character of our military personnel.
On another note....in a few minutes from now will be heading out the door to attend a Memorial Day service in a nearby community.
As is my personal tradition for Memorial Day, I got up early this morning, went out to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge and waited for the sun to come up. As I sat there in the dark, I reminisced upon earlier, darker morns as I waited (prayed?) for the sun to come up and chase away the darkness.
This morning was, of course, different. It was peaceful and it was quiet. There were no explosions last night; no pre-dawn stand-to peering uneasily out across a misty field while waiting for the sun to chase away the darkness while birthing a new day. There were no others with me peering fearfully into the darkness hoping to see nothing. Instead, there was a sunrise reflected off of a moderate cloud deck. A sunrise of vibrant hues and brilliant light peeking ever so slowly over the eastern terminus of this small mountain chain in the middle of the Oklahoma flat lands. The sun leapt above the horizon, eager to start a new day, a day of both promise and remembrance.
Yes, remembrance. Remembering friends who did not make it back home; taken from life to young, before they had realized the promises of their tomorrows. Some died in battle; some died in training accidents; and some died while serving, victims of non-duty accidents and incidents; and some for no apparent reason at all.
Memorial Day is not the day to remember all of those who served; we have other days for that. Memorial Day is to remember those who served and never came back. Far, far too many names are listed on the scroll in my memory. I cannot forget them. I will not forget them.
Don
Merged.
I remember Korea.....
...and George Freeman
...and James "Jimmy" Hall
...and Otis "Slob" Gilley
Today I had the honnor of going with our Squadron Color Guard to there home town Memorial Day observance. We were placed right behind the Joint VFW & AL Color Guard/Firing detail. We marched from the Court house to the bridge over the river where there was a short pause to remember those that where not with us, then we marched to the Cemetery for the formal service. The Army Col. that gave the remarks reminded all of us how many Americans have died in each of the main wars and then went on to recount how many had died in each of those wars from that small county. I think that was the first time that I had ever put quite that way. It made it personal. That those numbers all have a name and a home town. That some of those small towns still take time to remember those they lost.
I for one was very proud to go out with a group of Cadets in small town USA. If gave me a sense of what we fight for, and yes some died for in the country.