Memorial Day 2024

The rainy start to this day adds an element of solemnness as we consider the price of freedom.  Free men and women are not issued that consideration as right or privilege. We live in a world that would that bombards us from both liberal and conservative viewpoints, telling us to they are the sole standard bearers of truth. As each of diligently pursue the admirable concepts of truth, justice and peace, may we also consider the lives lost over the years that allows us as Americans to freely follow these cornerstones of democracy. I offer today a couple of speeches that clearly define who we are as Americans. Are we perfect in our pursuit of the aforementioned concepts? Our history shows our failures as well as our success. Freedom shines a light of transparency, though sometimes it may take years for the light to root out discrimination and oppression even in our system of governing. Nevertheless, freedom must be accompanied by accountability. The graves of those that gave their all demand nothing less. 

We Are Americans

Oliver North, US Troops Veterans Day

Trace Adkins - Arlington

MEMORIAL DAY 2014

 THE MEMORIAL DAY CELEBRATION HAS ITS ROOTS IN THE CIVIL WAR AND IN WHAT MANY FOLKS USED TO TERM DECORATION DAY. THE FIRST OFFICIAL PROCLAIMATION WAS MADE BY GENERAL JOHN LOGAN, COMMANDER OF THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC, ON MAY 30, 1868. ON THAT DAY, THE GRAVES OF BOTH THE UNION AND CONFEDERATE DEAD BURIED IN ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETARY WERE DECORATED. THE HONORING OF THE DEAD THAT PASSED IN SERVICE TO COUNTRY IS AT THE CORE OF OUR REMEMBERANCE TODAY.

THE HISTORY OF SACRFICE OF OUR SOLDIERS, SAILORS AND AIRMEN STRETCHES BACK TO THE DAYS OF LEXINGTON, CONCORD, VALLEY FORGE, YORKTOWN AND THE OTHER PLACES OF BATTLE THAT BOUGHT AMERICA’S FREEDOM FROM BRITISH RULE AND TYRANNY. EVER SINCE, YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN HAVE ANSWERED AMERICA’S CALL TO SERVICE AND SOME HAVE GIVEN WILLING YET UNFORTUNATELY, AS LINCOLN FIRST SAID, “THEIR LAST FULL MEASURE OF DEVOTION” IN SERVICE TO THIS COUNTRY. IT IS THEIR SACRIFICE THAT WE HONOR TODAY AND RECOGNIZE THAT THE COST OF FREEDOM IS DEAR.  NOT ONLY TO THE DEPARTED, BUT ALSO TO THE FAMILIES AND FRIENDS LEFT BEHIND TO CHERISH AND RECALL THEIR LOVED ONE’S MEMORY.

THE HIGH PRICE OF FREEDOM DEMANDS THE RESPECT OF ALL THAT LIVE IN ITS UNIQUE AND UNFETTERED LIFESTYLE. TOO OFTEN OUR COUNTRY’S CITIZENS FORGET OR WORSE YET ARE APATHETIC TOWARDS THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT LIE SILENT IN GRAVES ALL OVER THIS COUNTRY AND THE WORLD. THESE QUIETED VETERANS HAVE FORFEITED A COMPLETE LIFE THAT THEIR FELLOW CITIZENS MIGHT LIVE COMPLETELY. THE MARTYED DEAD WOULD NOT HAVE US DWELL ON THEIR DEATHS BUT RESPECTFULLY REFLECT ON THEIR BRIEF LIVES AND THE JOYFUL MEMORIES WE HAVE SHARED WITH THEM.

SO MEMORIAL IS NOT JUST A DAY THAT SIGNALS THE BEGINNING OF SUMMER, OR DAY OFF FROM WORK OR AN OPPORTUNITY TO PICNIC AND GRILL OUT. HOWEVER, IT IS NOT JUST A DAY TO DWELL ON THE SACRIFICES OF PAST DEAD VETERANS AND THE UNFULFILLED LIVES THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE LIVED. IT IS ALL THESE THINGS; RESPECTFUL REMEMBERANCE AND JOYFUL CELEBRATION, QUIET CONSIDERATION AND PURE UNADULTRARED FUN. MEMORIAL DAY IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE LIVING “TO DECORATE” THE SACRIFICED LIVES OF CITIZEN SOLDIERS WITH BOTH LIFE AND REFLECTION. MEMORIAL DAY IS IN FACT AMERICA’S MOST COSTLY DAY OF  CELEBRATION.