Somber and emotional thoughts and feelings have dominated my weekend. I had many eloquent thoughts racing through my mind but seem unable to put them down in writing so shouldn’t even try. I’m sure that I reflect more on the meaning of this day in my older years than I did as a younger man. There have been numerous wonderful tributes on TV. I especially have been impressed with some of the Public Television presentations, particularly the annual Memorial Day Concert from Washington D.C.
Joseph Stalin reportedly once said “a million deaths is a statistic, a single death is a tragedy.” I guess he dealt more with statistics. This weekend we see many images of very many cemeteries in very many places with rows and rows of white stones with thousands of flags representing the ultimate sacrifice. Each burial site represents a tragedy for the loved ones. In addition we will be reminded of the thousands of wounded still suffering in so many instances with countless injuries and amputation, and one can only ponder, why you and not me. Caring for them and relieving them and their families of personal financial catastrophe must be the first priority, ahead of anything and everything including credit card relief with National Park gun privileges.
This is just me speaking but I never had much empathy for those who disagreed with their country and chose to flee or otherwise refused to serve, or chose to protest by burning the flag or draft card while upholding their rights under the Constitution. They would as quickly burn the Constitution if they felt it denied their precious rights. I have come to believe that we really have no choice in the matter. None of us chose by birth to be American, we just are. That imparts certain patriotic obligations. We can believe the country is wrong, as I sometimes do, but we each are required regardless of politics, religion, race or creed to answer positively when called to serve militarily. I understand that not all will agree.
Daughter Julie’s genealogy studies and the Civil War stories and others reported, reinforce my feelings that things have always been and always will be, and the short time we are here requires us to continue the process as well as attempt to improve life for those who will follow. In every case, the fallen have preserved the opportunity for the nation to continue in a positive way. It’s up to the remaining to take advantage of that opportunity in a positive way.
Take this day to honor the fallen Veterans of all wars and the families who have endured. Thank the surviving Veterans who willingly gave years of their lives as well. The WWII vets are almost gone, and the vets of the next two wars are getting old. Especially, remember and thank those presently serving. Then, in spite of the lack of stellar present economic conditions, be proud to be American.
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