Soon we will celebrate one of the nation’s most anticipated holidays – Memorial Day. For many this signifies the beginning of Summer, holiday retail sales, and a cookout with family and friends. All well and good but sadly over time we as Americans have lost sight of the true meaning of this solemn time which was set aside to honor those men and women who have fallen in combat defending our freedom to ensure the American Republic will continue to endure as it has for almost 250 years.
As a “Boomer” who came of age when most of our fathers fought in the Second World War. Memorial Day was indeed a sacred day when many of us paid tribute to family members who did not return from the European or Pacific Theater of war. Many departed in the prime of their life to defend Democracy only to be cut down in battle unable to return home, start a family, and subsequently live the American dream. Unfortunately, I saw this same pattern repeated while on active duty.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/206895.No_True_Glory
Based on outward appearances it appears many Americans have forgotten how to honor their war dead and make no effort in this sacred day if only for a minute to honor our heroes. Sad but true. As author Bid West stated in “No True Glory: A Frontline Account of the Battle for Fallujah” where 151 Americans died, their individual stories of courage deserve “to be recorded and read by the next generation. Unsung, the noblest deed will die.”
Memorial Day should also cause us to think why Americans are willing to fight and die for the abstract concepts freedom and democracy. Very few nations are willing to send the seed corn of their next generation to places around the globe to defend others from oppression. For generations Americans have come as liberators vice conquers and like Germany and Japan they have now become allies with their once mortal enemies.
https://www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/speeches/bixby.htm
Yes, many families have given more than their fair share. I am reminded of the letter written by President Lincoln to Lydia Parker Bixby, a widow living in Boston, Massachusetts, who was thought to have lost five sons in the Union Army during the American Civil War. In part:
“I feel how weak and fruitless must be any words of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering to you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save.
I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of Freedom.”
Yes, many Americans have been sacrificed upon the alter of freedom – let us never forget them and honor them if only for a moment as you enjoy your weekend.
4 comments
Let’s not forget this. We are educated and constantly reminded that Hitler tried to perform genocide on the Jews in World War 2 in Europe.
My understanding is that the Jews were marched into giant gas chambers and executed. Its is called the Holocaust.
Now, let’s look at what we have going on today. Do we not have Benjamin Netanyahu, the leader of Israel, trying to perform genocide on the innocent Palestinian civilians in Gaza? Not using giant gas chambers, but using Made in USA bombs and planes to deliver death on innocent civilians in Gaza. So, Israel wants us never to forget what Hitler did to them, while Netanyahu today does the same thing Hitler did, but to the Palestinians.
And the Republican’s, they want this modem day version of Hitler, Benjamin Netanyahu, to sell his “Palestinian Holocost” to the American people from the floor of the U.S. House. Say it ain’t so. PS, most certainly AIPAC generated loot going to PAC’s and campaigns of members of Congress, and the WH, has absolutely nothing to do with it, nope, nothing at all…….😂😂😂😂
Let’s not forget about this.
The Palestinians sowed the wind, now they are reaping the whirlwind.
And for those of you who are Palestinian apologists, watch this:
1) No, no, no, Israel sowed the seed for decades by their failure to negotiate a 2 state solution, with the USA supporting the absolute lie.
2) And, Netanyahu should be tried for treason for not having troops on the small 37 mile Israeli-Gaza border. His sworn, primary duty is to protect Israel. He failed.
3) No, Hamas did the sowing, not Palestinians. But, at least you apparently admit you see them as one and the same?
4) Without PAC and campaign loot, would the USA even care about Israel?
5) If you are so concerned, why don’t you go join the IDF?
6) Using teenage girls to fight wars for fat old men tells the story of a nation of cowards, does it not?
Spot on John, truly sickening ….