As the daughter of a WWII fighter pilot, I grew up in the 1950s, steeped in the stories of a war supported by a nation filled with patriotic fervor and fought by brave men and women with a clear enemy and worthy goals. As a young adult in the 1970s, many of my friends either signed up or were drafted to go to Vietnam. Here at home, Kent State, demonstrations, and moratoriums were the manifestations of a nation confused by the war and the reasons we were fighting it, but our soldiers fought for their country anyway, and endured too little respect for their efforts. Today, among my favorite desktop publishing customers are veterans of the 7th Infantry Regiment, whose quarterly newsletter I help produce. Their support of fellow soldiers now deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan — my own children’s generation — is inspiring.
I am so grateful to those who have fought — and those who have died — in these three generations. Their courage and their sacrifice have secured the freedom and privilege that I have enjoyed my entire life. Thank you, Dad, and thank you all, each and every one.
On thy grave the rain shall fall from the eyes of a mighty nation!~ Thomas William Parsons
The brave die never, though they sleep in dust:
Their courage nerves a thousand living men.
~Minot J. Savage
And I’m proud to be an American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I won’t forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.
~Lee Greenwood
Hey Elizabeth I found it and was able to read you Memorial day remembrance. Beautifully done, but then I would expect no less.
Don, I so appreciate you and your friendship!
Elizabeth,
Your thoughts about the meaning of Memorial Day are beautiful. As a student of military history, I realize the sacrifices many have made so that we may be free. We must always be vigilant to insure these freedoms are never taken away by enemies within, or outside our country. Thank you to those who have served so well.
Thank you for sharing these powerful thoughts, Yank!
Elizabeth,
Thank you for sharing your (as always) eloquent thoughts. I fear that, as a nation, we have forgotten that freedom isn’t free. I watched most of the Memorial Day Celebration/Commemoration from the mall and was so moved by all of the stories of hardship and sacrifice. In spite of that, there was this sense of dignity and pride and determination in all of the stories and memories. I know that, given the same circumstances, these heroes would have made exactly the same choices they did so long ago to protect their country, their comrades and their way of life.
How blessed we are, to be Americans.
Cindy, you are so right. The Memorial Day program from the Washington mall was so powerful and moving, and reminded us that the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform are just the tip of the iceberg. Their families sacrifice so much too, even when their loved ones come home.
Lovely writing, Elizabeth. You have a gift for words and a sensitivity displayed in your thoughts.
Thank you, Kathy. I am humbled to know how powerful words can be…for good or for bad.
Elizabeth,
As we drove to the IHOP this morning to enjoy a day off together with some breakfast, we passed through a small town in North Carolina proudly displaying american flags every fifty feet down Main Street. It was a breathtaking sight! We thought about the men and women that had given their lives for our country and about the terrible loss to their loving families. It occurred to Sarah and I that we have not had to endure such an experience. We could not think of anyone that we have known that was injured or died in a war. Both of our Dads served proudly and thankfully survived. I served in the Air Force and thankfully remained stateside and never had to fight in a war.
So on this day, as we think of those that were willing to defend our freedom and gave their lives as a result, I believe that we all must acknowledge how special it is to live in a country where many of us do not know what it is like to lose people we love as a result of war. I pray that the conflicts we are currently engaged in will end soon so our soldiers can return home safely to their families.
Andy LaRowe
Beautifully expressed, Andy. Thank you! Yes, our little town of Woodstock does a wonderful job of getting those flags out from the lamposts all up and down Main Street, and when I come up over the rise of the hill into town, it does take my breath away too.
I love the photos of your father and the quotes at the end of your post, Elizabeth. My father, now 86, was a ball turret gunner on a B24 stationed in Italy. The stories he shares are amazing and have made such an impression on his children. He worries for them and how quickly we move into conflicts and judgment.
I think one of the best ways to honor my father and all the others who continue to serve to protect my freedom to share my opinions so openly is to work toward the kind of understanding that makes conflict the last option.
Thank you for sharing! You’re doing wonderful things through your blog and website!
Thank you, Mimi! And thank you to your father, too, for his service and for raising a wonderful daughter like you!
Thank you. At least on Memorial Day, we must always remember and honor those who served and died defending the freedoms, principles and way of life that make the United States the greatest country it is. At war or not, following generations must continue to cherish and protect and defend those freedoms and principles lest those who sacrificed so much did not do so in vain.
Well said, Steve. And thank you for YOUR service.
Thank you for this thoughtful and sensitive post, Bruce. In no way did I intend to romanticize war or the policies and politics that are the cause of the United States being in War now. And it should be added that “the spiritual trauma of war” affects so many more than just those who serve in the armed forces. The families of those who have died receive far to little recognition for their sacrifice in terms of emotional pain, mental health, and often economic hardship.
On this Memorial Day, however, I simply wanted to shine a spotlight on those who have–and do–serve our country in this way.
We certainly do owe thanks to all those who have sacrificed, while remaining clear-eyed about the policies and predilections of the people who send our young to die.
As our pastor said in service today: “Memorial Day is a day of great lament for those who have died in war, and for those who have experienced the spiritual trauma of war.”