Courage meant overcoming fear and doing one’s duty in the presence of danger, not being unafraid.”
–E.B. Sledge (With the Old Breed)
“Be of good courage, and let us be strong for our people and for the cities of our God. And may the Lord do what is good in His sight.”
–2 Samuel 10:12 (NKJV)
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With our nation in turmoil and confusion is all the more reason for us to take time and reflect and consider those who gave the supreme sacrifice. Memorial Day is not just a day for family to get together, yet because of the sacrifice of those who have gone before, families can do that.
“Duty—Honor–Country–those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be…” came the words from General Douglas MacArthur. My fear is that few of the youth of today, speaking of 30 and younger, have a real concept of what those words mean. They have little regard for history as it is, but prefer to live in a fantasy world where they can play to their heart’s content. A person can dream of a “brave new world” but they cannot undo the past, right or wrong, by pulling down statues, changing history books, or even making up new history.
Many of the woke crowd and the cancel culture crowd are scoffers and scorners. It was bad during Vietnam, but those in America against the war were not as subtle or hideous as the new “enemy” in America. The Vietnam Vet was scorned, but it was because of a controversial war. Now the scorners want to destroy all that America built and has stood for. “Everything is racist” it seems. Tell that to the family whose 18-year-old son died on the beaches of Normandy.
“The unbelievers will say they are but words [Duty–Honor–Country], but a slogan, but a flamboyant phrase. Every pedant, every demagogue, every cynic, every hypocrite, every trouble-maker, and, I am sorry to say, some others of an entirely different character, will try to down-grade them even to the extent of mockery and ridicule.”
MacArthur continued in his speech. To me, this day is a day of retrospect. One of contemplating those who gave up their dreams, hopes, youth, and lives for this country. Now, the deconstructionists of the postmodern view wish to destroy everything those honorable men and women sacrificed. Duty to one’s country has become a joke to many. Shame! Shame on them!
When I see their faces and their actions I have a vile reaction in the pit of my stomach. How dare they laugh at those who fell at Belleau Wood or the Argonne. Or take it back further, those of Gettysburg or Antietam—Americans all. Those who sacrificed should not be forgotten! “His name and fame are the birthright of every American citizen. In his youth and strength, his love and loyalty, he gave all that mortality can give.” (Douglas MacArthur)
They did their duty by giving all. They didn’t have a tomorrow; they didn’t have a tomorrow, but you do because of those who went before. Death was not what they wanted, but they died so that we may live in the freedoms that are so dear. The First Amendment is “Bonkers”? Hardly! Life is precious, just look at the crosses on this Memorial Day. Blood is not cheap.
“When you go home,
Tell them of us, and say–
For your tomorrows,
We gave our today.”
–J. Maxwell Edmonds