Take up our quarrel with the foe
To you, from failing hands, we throw
The torch: be yours to hold it high
If ye break faith with us who die,
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.”
–John McCrae (Composed at the battlefront on May 3,1915 during the second battle of Ypres, Belgium)
I’m going to break from tradition. I normally write the complete poem, “In Flanders Fields” for Veterans Day. But I’ll depart a little because I think I feel some stirring. Are there those who sacrificed and buried beginning to waken? No, not zombies, but their sleeping is being disturbed.
We had an election and some are disturbed. Instead of uniting they are showing either their ignorance or stupidity in destruction of property. It made me think of the words of Gen. Chappie James. I had the privilege of serving under his command when I was in the Air Force. General James stated,
“I’m a citizen of the United States of America and I’m no second-class citizen either and no man her is, unless he thinks like one and reasons like one and performs like one. This is my country and I believe in her flag and I’ll defend her and I’ll fight for her and I’ll serve her and I’ll contribute to her welfare whenever and however I can.
If she has any ills, I’ll stand by her and hold her hand until in God’s given time, through her wisdom and her consideration for the welfare of the entire nation, she will put them right.”
General James was a Tuskegee Airman, and became the nation’s first black 4-star general. He said, “I am, above everything else…an American.”
Another thing that is causing those buried beneath sacred sod to stir are comments that I read recently. Such as, “You must never have faith in a nation.” Tell that to James Stockdale, Jeremiah Denton, Robbie Risner, and other POWs. Now, that statement is ultimately true, but those who have taken the oath of the military and serve their country better have faith in the nation. They better have faith in their comrade-in-arms when they move through hostile territory. Ultimate faith is in God, but if I’m captured I must have faith that my country will sooner or later come to my aid.
I don’t know if that person is just ignorant and naïve, or young and inexperienced, or just a Millennial, or just plain stupid. Remember, “ignorance can be fixed, stupidity is fatal.”
Thank a Vet today!
“All Gave Some,
Some Gave All”
“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.”
–John 15:13 (NASB)