Memorial Day Remembering

Longtime regular, Melody Brynne writes:

There are many opinions about war and remembering and how we acknowledge this today.  My son was declared dead on Nov. 28, 2008 from TBI and then, suddenly and without explanation, he came back to life 5 minutes later.  It is a miracle that I am deeply grateful for even though I cannot explain it.  He served with the U.S. Marine Corp and gave distinguished service.  He is now married, studying and working hard in his chosen career.  I am so proud of him!

Also, my late husband served in the Navy for 20 years and finally died of a massive heart attack Aug. 19, 2004.  I honor his service as well even though he died 9 years after retiring.

Memorial Day is a day of deep remembering for me.  I do understand that many have turned this into a “start of summer” holiday. I hope that even those people will acknowledge that their ability to celebrate summer comes because of others who bled and died for them.  We stand on the shoulders of others.

I have been studying U.S. history and especially the Civil War and I am awed and humbled by reading the personal journal accounts of those who were there and the perspectives of others who were affected by those days.  JFK said that “we can’t know where we are going until we know where we have been”.  I also remember that those who don’t remember the past are doomed to repeat it!  I hope that everyone will take some time to learn “where we have been” so that they can see that the future will be more peaceful than our past.

To all, may Memorial Day be what you desire and need it to be for you and may it carry the remembrance of those who would wish your future to be the best because they gave “the last full measure of devotion” to see that you have your heart’s desire.

In Remembrance this Memorial Day.

Perfect.

(National D-Day Memorial, Bedford, Virginia, Library of Congress image.)
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