Memorial Day
This is a picture from one of the columbariums at the Arlington National Cemetery, the final resting place of many of those who served the United States since the middle of the 19th century.
That is my Father’s marker. He didn’t know those located around his marker, but they all shared service to their country as part of their life.
My ancestors have been answering the call to service in this country since before it was a country, and various branches have ended during wars. It is a tradition, which means it is neither a good or bad thing, just something that has always been that way.
The country continues to ask for service and people still respond to that call. As you think about the sacrifices represented by Arlington and other cemeteries, ask yourself if you have done what you could to prevent misuse of the willingness of some to serve.
It is rather for us the living, we here be dedicated to the great task remaining before us–that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here gave the last full measure of devotion–that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.
6 comments
I must go to Arlington some time. I would like to see where my uncle is buried
.-= last blog ..THE ANCIENT TOWN OF LEITH =-.
Curiously, just before I saw this post earlier, the Midday movie on TV was Memphis Belle. 🙂
My maternal side of my family for several generations (including my Mother) have always seen Military service. My paternal side on the other hand were more involved with military underground black market supply! 😉
As with our ANZAC day, your Memorial Day *IS* a very important day! I was very pleased to see this year here so many young people who wanted to understand what their grandfathers (mostly) had fought (and many died) for. And they truly were interested in understanding.
This was our Regimental Ode:
And the Regimental Prayer:
Rest, in Peace, all those who served justly and with honor.
My thanks to your father, Bryan; may he rest in peace. Men like him are rare, and the rest of us are indeed fortunate that he was an American and that he chose the most direct kind of service to America.
.-= last blog ..Esther Gets Equal Time =-.
The best way of honoring those who served is to work so others don’t have to. The best weapons are those that never need to be used.
I visited Arlington when I was a child. My parents took the family to visit Kennedy’s grave site. We waited in a long line to walk past the flame and then we walked around a bit and I saw a sea of grave stones. It left an impression.
.-= last blog ..Perennials At The Farmer’s Market =-.
Thank you for your family’s, father’s and your service to our country, Bryan.
I try to honor our armed forces’ service everyday by exercising my freedoms that they fought so hard for me to keep.
Thank you.
Namaste.
.-= last blog ..rip dennis hopper =-.