Memorial Day

May 23, 2008
Fort Collins, CO

Let us, then, at the time appointed, gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with choicest flowers of springtime; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us as sacred charges upon the Nation's gratitude, -- the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan. -- General John A. Logan in his General Order No. 11 of May 5th, 1868, Decoration Day

I read a poem once that said basically this:

As freeborn children we should listen and see a new generation of soldiers paying the ultimate price on our behalf. We should not forget either the families and friends of those who have fallen in the service of our country. We cannot let ourselves be blind or deaf to sacrifice of increasingly unsung valor. We cannot become so immured to the reality of war that we fail to respect the soldier's reality. Let our hearts not be so jaded that we cannot feel the loss.

As we celebrate this day as we do so many holidays in the good ol' USA -- with picnics and beer, car races and concerts, flags and fireworks, let us pause in the revelry and with grateful hearts listen... let us rejoice that we live in the land of the free, let us renew our allegiance, let us proudly salute the stars and stripes and those who have so gloriously served it...

The poet said:

Let freedom scream in our ears and minds never forget those left behind.