Memorial Day is a time to remember our fallen heroes. They went into battle and other hostilities to defend us -- ALL OF U.S.!
Photo of American Cemetery and Memorial in Normandy, France, June 2012 by Peter K. Burian
The fallen were not distracted by topics, such as religion, race, political affiliations, gender or sexual orientation. Instead, they had a mission, and these military heroes focused on their duty.
Words do little to describe the debt we owe to these fallen soldiers, airmen, seamen, and marines, and their families. I can only refer to the eloquent words of Abraham Lincoln, who wrote to Mrs. Lydia Bixby in November of 1864:
Dear Madam,
I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle.
I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save.
I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.
Yours, very sincerely and respectfully,
A. Lincoln
Declarations and discussions of our 'freedom' are so easily tossed about without considering the sacrifices of those that defended those freedoms. Look no further than Russia, North Korea and the others dictatorships that exist in our world, and thank your 'lucky stars' that you are fortunate enough to be a citizen of this country or one of our allies. Better yet, thank the men and women who fought our wars.
Memorial Day is only one day. Since we enjoy our 'freedom' every day, we should do the same to remember our fallen. Recall their final sacrifice, and daily pay our fallen heroes the respect they are due.