From the first Memorial Day, then called Decoration Day, address in 1868:
I love to believe that no heroic sacrifice is ever lost; that the characters of men are molded and inspired by what their fathers have done; that treasured up in American souls are all the unconscious influences of the great deeds of the Anglo-Saxon race, from Agincourt to Bunker Hill. It was such an influence that led a young Greek, two thousand years ago, when musing on the battle of Marathon, to exclaim, “the trophies of Miltiades will not let me sleep!” Could these men be silent in 1861; these, whose ancestors had felt the inspiration of battle on every field where civilization had fought in the last thousand years? Read their answer in this green turf. Each for himself gathered up the cherished purposes of life—its aims and ambitions, its dearest affections—and flung all, with life itself, into the scale of battle.
And now consider this silent assembly of the dead. What does it represent? Nay, rather, what does it not represent? It is an epitome of the war.
You can read the whole thing here. Remember those who gave their lives. May they rest in peace and rise in glory.
God bless,
LSP
4 comments:
The best wars are those where our losses are non-existent, but it's hard to do that. When you realize that the very best are put into harm's way first and that they suffer the most, the gardens of stone take on a new meaning. Hopefully people will take a minute between sales at the shopping mall and the inevitable BBQ to consider the vast sacrifice, laid on the altar of liberty for their benefit.
I couldn't say it any better than LL has already done. May they all rest in peace.
Well said, LL.
I have to echo Adrienne and Brighid and, to be sure, during yesterday's outstanding BBQ at a friend's ranch, there was most definitely remembrance for those who gave their lives. Everyone had a good time, great hospitality, but no one said "happy Memorial day."
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