It's 143 years since Memorial Day was first instituted as a day of remembrance of those who gave their lives for our country in the Civil War; in fact, the day honored the dead of both the Union and the Confederacy.
Today, it honors those who gave their lives in all our wars.
Today, it honors those who gave their lives in all our wars.
It's important in this age of political rancor and vituperation to remember this. As much as we the living would like to believe otherwise, the dead have no religion. The dead have no political views. The dead have only the Honor and Glory of their sacrifice, and the Eternity to which they now belong.
It is we who must make their sacrifice meaningful and we can surely do this by endeavoring to respect each others' differences and opinions. It is we who must solve the problems that face us. We should take courage from those who so bravely gave the last measure of their being, and resolve to create the better world that they believed in and died to protect.
So, take a momentary breather from the festivities you've planned for the weekend, whether it's a bar-be-cue or a round of golf, or just watching the Indy 500 on TV and remember why we celebrate this day.
For, as Herman Wouk, the author of "Youngblood Hawke", "The Caine Mutiny", and "The Winds of War" once said, "The beginning of the end of war lies in remembrance."
Thanks, and happy holiday,
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