Alphecca

Memorial Day

I guess it's become a tradition (for me, anyway) to repeat my Memorial Day post from the past. For my many new readers here, enjoy.

Always remember and honor our fallen heros.

From Arlington National Cemetery:

Government issued headstones.




Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers, Amphitheater behind.




An aerial view of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers, showing the Mall and Fountain in front of.



On the sloping land to the left are the headstones that memorialize those whose remains could not be recovered.

This is not a day for joy. It is not a day for a "Sale." It is or should be a solemn day where we remember those who have or are at this very moment serving our country. Many have made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve the freedoms we continue to enjoy. May God bless them and may He comfort their families. May we all give thanks to them and always remember them on Memorial Day, and every other day as well. Regardless of what you think of the merits of a particular war, these brave men and women chose to serve and protect and defend all of us. There are many more young servicemen and women buried elsewhere in this great country of ours, and overseas. There are also many still who are alive but living in poverty or lanquishing in our underfunded Veteran's Hospitals. Whatever your views on conflict, know that all who served in our Armed Forces deserve respect, honor, and a "thank you."

Photos from Arlington Cemetery.org

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Update 5/30/04:

Here is a beautiful nighttime illustration by Navy Lt. Cmdr. Jane Campbell of the World War II Memorial taken from the Department of Defense web site:

Folks, it's very easy to debate the merits of various conflicts that our great country has been involved in, though I really don't see how anyone could argue that after Pearl Harbor, much less the atrocities of Hitler's war, we could not become involved in World War II. Indeed, the question is why we didn't become involved sooner.

Most towns have a memorial statue of some sort dedicated to our fallen heros. Why not skip the crass, commercial sales tomorrow and instead find out where that local memorial is. Then, take your family to it and sit there a few minutes to reflect on those brave, dedicated souls who -- to this very day, indeed, this very minute -- have laid down their lives for our security. Take your children if you have some, and bring along a history book to explain to them what is required, and WHY it is required that so many of our fellow citizens have fought and died for our wonderful way of life, our once-in-a-lifetime experiment in democracy that we proudly call America. Tell your children that, quote: Freedom is not free.

Today, tomorrow, let us think fondly of and honor and remember those who have given their lives for us.

The Jews have a wonderful tradition of (during Passover) opening the front door, and leaving a dinner plate with food (wine?) for the ghost of the prophet Elijah. Tomorrow, when you have your barbecue, leave a seat, a place-setting for the spirit of a fallen soldier. Maybe, after explaining to your kids why, offer a moment of silence. And tomorrow night, why not write a check to the local veteran's hospital; just a simple donation to, in some small way, say, "thanks."

God bless America. It's not perfect, but it's better than anywhere else. Let's try to make Memorial Day a bit more serious, a bit more important than we have been lately. Let's all try to remember what this day is really all about.

Posted by Jeff Soyer at May 28, 2005 04:26 AM