It's always been that way. Even during the Revolutionary War, which started with the Boston Massacre, there was little public regard for those who put themselves in harm's way and lost their lives.
“Good God, are the Americans all asleep and tamely giving up their Liberties?” asked Benedict Arnold, who ultimately sold out himself in bitterness as much as greed.
The very first American to give his life in the cause of liberty was Crispus Attucks. His father was an African-American slave. His mother was a Natick, who were called the "Praying Indians." Little is known about Crispus. Unfortunately, many have followed him. Their lives are summed up in the immortal words of Archibald MacLeish.
The young dead soldiers do not speak.
Nevertheless, they are heard in the still houses:
who has not heard them?
They have a silence that speaks for them at night
and when the clock counts.
They say: We were young. We have died.
Remember us.
They say: We have done what we could
but until it is finished it is not done.
They say: We have given our lives but until it is finished
no one can know what our lives gave.
They say: Our deaths are not ours: they are yours,
they will mean what you make them.
They say: Whether our lives and our deaths were for
peace and a new hope or for nothing we cannot say,
it is you who must say this.
We leave you our deaths. Give them their meaning.
We were young, they say. We have died; remember us.
First published Memorial Day, 2016
Blogger's Addition: I am also touched by the elegant prose that Franklin Delano Roosevelt offered to the families of soldiers who died fighting fascism and genocide during WWII. Each received a certificate that includes these stirring words: "He stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live, and grow, and increase its blessings. Freedom lives, and through it, he lives - in a way that humbles the undertakings of most men."
73 comments:
Some have said the Crispus story about being the first casualty was more about liberal propaganda than provable history.
On God, do you partisans ever give it a rest?
Some years ago while living in Europe, we visited the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery. This cemetery was created in the late 1930s as a resting place for many of our World War I combat casualties who died on the Western Front of World War I.
It's a quiet place, next to a small town called Romagne-sous-Montfaucon in eastern France and it holds nearly 15,000 graves of the Doughboys and also the pilots of our Aero Squadrons that flew our aircraft in the first aerial combats during the war. During World War II, when France was under German occupation, the German Army maintained the cemetery out of respect.
There are no less than nine Medal of Honor recipients who are buried there. It was a quiet place even on that Memorial Day, we had the place largely to ourselves. A small piece of the United States, far away from home.
Make America great again? Excuse me Mr. Trump but we never were less than the best especially at defending the weak and powerless of the world. Remember those who gave their lives for this GREAT country of ours. We owe them so much.
REMEMBER AND BE THANKFUL FOR OUR MILITARY - MAY THEY RIP
7:29 AM pathetic you drag politics into this thread. if some of these men and woman who served during WW2 , Korea , and Vietnam were alive today to see what a mess this country has become , they would cry. Now off to the Memorial Day services.
Bernie,
May all the families and friends of lost lives of past wars have the presence of GOD within?! Than there are present day war hero's that are fighting on America's soil today, of which you Bernie are one?! Keep turn out the most investigative reporting in today's news media?!
Re:publican redd
"It doesn't take a hero to order men into battle. It takes a hero to be one of those men who goes into battle." --H. Norman Schwarzkopf
In humble gratitude for all those throughout history who never came home.
“Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism.”--George Washington
Thanks Bernie for posting this. Today we indeed mourn not the loss of veterans but the gains we realized because of their willingness to serve. God bless all of the fallen and all who currently wear the uniform that defends our nation.
Bernie
Thank you for honoring our fallen warriors. This week a medical appointment reminder postcard complete with Happy Memorial Day and fireworks arrived in the mail. The United States possibly has three decades of students not taught the significance of Memorial Day.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Bernie,
May all the families and friends of lost lives of past wars have the presence of GOD within?! Than there are present day war hero's that are fighting on America's soil today, of which you Bernie are one?! Keep turn out the most investigative reporting in today's news media?!
Re:publican redd
9:40 AM
agree.
Thank you Bernie.
Thank you for posting this, Bernie. I read your post just after leaving a flag on my dad's grave.
"THE FLAG DOES NOT FLY BECAUSE OF THE WIND THAT BLOWS IT.
THE FLAG FLIES BECAUSE EACH SOLDIER'S LAST BREATH BLOWS BY IT"
Keep all who have served, and those who are serving today in Remembrance this Memorial Day 2016
Especially those who gave the ultimate Sacrifice!.....PJF
Liberal school teachers do no teach the significance of today. May God guide us forward.
You called it. Someone called me this morning and honest to God said "Happy Memorial Day". I don't believe anyone ever said that to me before. It sounded so weird, I just uncomfortably said "thank you."
God Bless the Fallen. Lets all remember this day is about those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their fellow countrymen. To the unknown drunk I argued with yesterday, Memorial day is not for me to celebrate your four years of drinking at a Naval Base in San Diego. We all know that millions of us serve but some serve and pay the ultimate price. This day is for all of them. Not the rest of us.
There, I said my piece. Remember the fallen!
Put down the political stuff and go to Arlington. Be humbled and thankful. A volunteer military gives its lives today for all of our freedom. We should agree to appreciate it and put the crap down for a day.
@4:51
Not sure if you are former military, but it sounds like the drunk you were arguing with is. Shame on him if he thinks this day is about him. As a vet, I understand that this is not my day and he is just an ignorant ass if he thought the day was to honor him. While the day may offer a reminder to thank those who may be put in harms way, Memorial Day is to honor those men and women who are forever in uniform.
Yes they do and I believe there are many "liberals" among those who gave their lives for our freedom and who serve today.
As one of those "liberal" teachers (so labeled) my students pledge every day to a huge flag hung on my wall that was on my father's casket. He served as a seabee in WWII. Even though he died many years after the war,in death, his service was not forgotten. My students are taught respect for those who serve but also to be alert and question why they are asked to serve by our leaders past and present. Responsible citizenship is what I hope they will take away from my classroom.
Bernie, I remember your Dad, and his service should not be forgotten.
"Nothing is over! Nothing! You just don't turn it off! It wasn't my war! You asked me, I didn't ask you! And I did what I had to do to win! But somebody wouldn't let us win! And I come back to the world and I see all those maggots at the airport, protesting me, spitting. Calling me baby killer and all kinds of vile crap! Who are they to protest me, huh? Who are they? Unless they've been me and been there and know what the hell they're yelling about!"
John Rambo
If you came back, take your bows on veterans day. This day is for the fallen. We fight wars in America so everyone, even those we despise, enjoy the freedom to speak their first amendment rights. This slow march towards militarism in order to justify our 10% of 1% of the population voluntary military has been a concern. War is Hell and if you have experienced it, you pray that others do not have to. No need to further divide our people our cast stones. Today is for the fallen who have given their last true measure in defends of freedom. We respect their sacrifice by defending freedom in war and peace.
On this most sacred of holidays the valleys own Gladys Kravits , dour buttinsky Mike "%3" Molovinski has accused longtime contributor Monkey Momma of being an O'Hare sock puppet.
From the comment section of his disgraceful Zionist hate blog,
"sock monkey@2:02, your identity has become pretty clear. you apparently still think that you determine the rules for the blogosphere, this is an odd post for memorial day... as you often write, you post about what you choose on your blog, the same goes here.
I will give you this; when it comes to contributing to hate, you remain the master "
@10:14
Three cheers for you Ma'am (or sir, I'm sorry I can't tell from the post).
The fact that is was your father's burial flag makes it all the more poignant and inspiring. Your students are lucky to have such a good example.
Again, good for you. It's wonderful to see someone so proud of their father's service. If only all Americans were as proud of our service men and women as you are.
Fascinating that so many people equate patriotism with whether one is a Republican or Democrat. I have found that the size of the flag pin that people love to wear now a days is proportional to the degree of chicken hawkishness they pocess, regardless of social leanings.
Sad but true!
'Liberal teacher'' 10;14-- Thank you , I mean it . While and Easton Express Editor is worried about his backyard barbeque -he has evan seemed to miss the point of Memorial Day . It seems it's ME-MORIAL DAY to too many.
thanks for posting this poem Bernie: Here is one of my favorites, along with Charge of the light Brigade,"Death of the Ball Turret Gunner"
From my mother's sleep I fell into the State,
And I hunched in its belly till my wet fur froze.
Six miles from earth, loosed from its dream of life,
I woke to black flak and the nightmare fighters.
When I died they washed me out of the turret with a hose
Randall Jarrell
I
10:14....well said. Thank you for all you do.
I'm so grateful to live in this country, and I'm humbled by those who have given their lives for my freedom. May they rest in peace.
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
" In Flanders Fields " by John McCrae
On this day we honor all those who died in defense of our country, period!!
Bernie, God Bless those lost souls in defense of our Nation. I am appalled by the tweet sent out by our President. He has one sentence honoring the dead and then goes on to tell us how great America is under his rule. Shameful and a disgrace for the commander in chief to used this day to praise himself. Shameful!!
Well, as Peter said last year, "it seems to be ME-MORIAL DAY to too many."
A guy said to me....
It became Me-mor-ial Day when military psychopaths made all civilians front-line soldiers in the nuclear era.
Like it or not...We all serve now.
The only way young people today will realize the true meaning of Memorial Day is to bring back the draft. RIP to those who did not make it home.
That Jarrell poem, Death of the Ball Turret Gunner, blows me away.
"They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them."
- Laurence Binyon
It is almost Three PM. At that time, I will pause stand at attention, and observe one minute of silent contemplation. Before then, I ask all to join.
I pledge allegiance
To the flag
of The United States of America.
And to the republic, for witch it stands;
One Nation,
Under God. With Liberty; and Justice,
For All.
God Bless America.
Sadly, It is a lack o f respect that the senate will not honor brave Americans by investigating the January insurant ion for political reasons.
I lower my flag until noon this day. It's the only time I ever lower my flag. We seem to always have flags lowered for what some politician deems we ought. Admit it: you drive by lowered flags and can't think of why they're lowered anymore. I don't do it. It's disgraceful and illustrative of what we've let our political leaders do to us. This day is about a very narrow profile of Americans. For those hours until noon, we should be humbled by the sacrifice of those who died for all of this. I am. Sun rises in six minutes. May those who gave the final measure of their devotion, rest in peace.
God Bless those who came before us. They gave their lives to preserve American FREEDOM and LIBERTY. Two important concepts to better life for everyone. Something not nearly enough citizens today understand.
Thanks, Dad. You will not be forgotten by your family.
It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain A. Lincoln
4:32 exactly. The memory of WWII vets in particular was sullied by Republicans when an attempt by them and their cult followers to subvert the will of a democratic election was made. Today they should hang their heads in shame as we revere those who fought against fascist regimes.
Thanks for reminding all of us what this day represents. I think we should also remember those who came home from the wars but were never the same afterwards. In some respects, they sacrificed their lives as well.
No they don't
Asinine comment
They're forbidden in some states now. Do you think the Tuskegee Airmen story is taught in ....let's say Florida
Or the AR 15 pin
Every year I take my kids to the Memorial Day services. I preach to them that great men and women died for their right to suck free air and have the freedom to say what they feel. They’re teenagers now, and I think they get it, at least I hope and pray they do.
Thanks for the post Bern-man. I've heard a lot about your father the last few years and have developed a lot of respect for him. God bless.
I have copied this blog entry for use next year at our Memorial Day church service. It is on point and a special piece of poetry. Thank you for publishing it here and hope you agree with my decision to read it aloud next year. Respect and a moment of silence..please.
No, we don’t.
This is a sacred day of remembrance for all those who have fallen ion battle. It is not for the living, not for firemen, policemen, etc. Let's please remember. We have a veteran's day and we can create a police, fireman, EMS, etc. day, if necessary but enough with the watering down of this day of Commemoration.
Does partisan politics permeate ever area of your life? I feel bad for you.
Bless you for sharing this again. This is the most important day we have. It is to remember and honor those who gave their lives in defense of this nation in war. I get so annoyed now adays where this is used for all veterans, police and fire and a myriad of others. Stop it. You all have many days to claim.
This is the one day for the dead heroes of America who fought and died in that fight. Many of us have family and friends who paid the ultimate sacrifices. Please try to honor them by respecting this day.
“Some have said” is among the weakest possible introductions to a comment.
I visited that cemetery eight years ago to see a relative’s grave. It’s a beautiful place
God Bless all our veteran's who gave their life and for those who gave years of their life in service to others. they are always remembered in our prayers.
Don't forget those who wanted to serve but couldn't because of "bone spurs" and referred to those who gave their lives for us as "suckers".
I was lucky. I gave only four years of my life in service to my Country and I came home in one piece. I wouldn't trade those four years for anything. May God Bless all our veterans.
It's a day to remember and reflect. Remember the fallen. Remember that those who died in combat, died acting under orders. Remember those who have served who are no longer with us.
8:03 - You might be interested in knowing, the individual you are trying to slime on this most solemn day DID end up serving his country. Yes, it’s true! In fact, he earned a high rank. He became the Commander in Chief of our entire military!
This would have truly been a fitting tribute to our fallen heroes on your part, Bernie, if you hadn't lit what you knew would be another political fire by quoting and then excusing Kamala Harris for her incompetence and ignorance.
Typical racist comment. Probably a Trump follower. I pray for people like you to come to your senses.
we have a ton of fake Patriots these days, didn't serve a day but lie about their service aka Steve Lynch on the radio and his ilk
8:03.......You are right, the slime ball did wind up as Commander in Chief but then so did Hitler, Mussolini, and Stalin. Thank you for bringing that to our attention.
Dear Lord. Everything is about trump. This was now two pathetic posts
Anonymous 12:52:
While the President is the Commander in Chief and has tremendous (though not always absolute) authority in use of the United States military, CinC is not considered a military rank nor position.
Bless you teaching them
I am blessed to know great men and women who served. Some of those special folks spent today visiting 18 cemeteries rendering honors for our fallen soldiers. Then they returned to Nazareth to serve as the Honor Guard for our Borough’s small but beautiful parade. They desire no recognition or accolades. They only want to honor those that made the ultimate sacrifice. Their hope is that their presence is used to educate the next generation of people that freedom is not free, and service to your country is admirable.
Young men who don't know each other, killing each other on behalf of old men who know each other well. Our wars meant nothing. We fight for greedy people's interests and willingly surrender our liberties at home. Our country is a disgraceful waste of boundless abundance. We reject our peacemakers (Carter, Trump) and continue to start new wars and send young people to die for greedy old men who know each other well. American doesn't work without endless wars. Prove me wrong.
I read this at our church Memorial Day service on Sunday.It garnered applause and I was glad I chose it for public airing. Thanks Bernie.
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