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May 26, 2008
Never Forget Our Warriors
"Tell them, tell them when you get home that I gave all of my tomorrows so they could have today!"
Those are the words on a tombstone, far across the Pacific, of someone who gave up his life for our future.
Were those words uttered so that those of us who are left could just enjoy our lives without "getting involved", or were they written to remind us that the work of freedom and liberty is never done?
Were those words written to suggest to us that it is not our job nor our responsibility to keep alive what they fought and died for, or were they written to remind us that we were given the opportunity of life so that we would continue to defend, and keep alive the memory of what they gave their last full measure for?
Let us here today, tonight, tomorrow, next month and next year - remember these gallant defenders of our freedom.
Most were not heroes as defined by the most hallowed Medal of Honor nor even as defined by the silver or bronze star.
They were ALL Heroes
Yes they were heroes, because without hesitation they fought for our country when they were asked to defend her.
They left their families, friends and good times behind and went to fight for our freedom without hesitation.
Some -- never even fired their weapons because they were killed before they ever reached the beach.
But they were heroes because they were there, ready to fight for America - for family, flag and country.
Most were scared to death as they prepared to meet the enemy. Their stomachs were turned upside down and they prayed to God and wished they were with their moms, dads and sweethearts rather than being where they were.
But they were where they were, fighting an enemy that was threatening their right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. They were fighting an enemy because they believed in America, they loved Her flag and they wanted to protect Americans' right to worship as they chose.
They were there, without hesitation, fighting for what they believed in and dying for what they believed in so you and I could live the way we choose in a free country. But they did not die so that we would stop fighting for what they believed and died for.
They fought and died knowing that we, the living, would go on fighting for that same freedom, that same country, that same flag and for that same right to worship as we choose. Abraham Lincoln, at Gettysburg, said:
"It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us--that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion--that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain--that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom--and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the Earth."
It is for us the living to go on defending what they died for. It is for us the living not to allow history to forget what they gave up all their tomorrows for.
If when we attacked Guadalcanal and landed at Salerno, we found that "they" were going to fight back, we didn't give up because they fought back. We continued to fight because we knew our cause was right!
When Americans rode in the landing craft before storming the beaches at Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Sicily, Anzio, Normandy, Peleliu, Saipan, Iowa Jima, Okinawa, Inchon and many other places we had never heard of before and when they fought in North Africa, the Philippines, Italy, France, Bastonne, Germany, Korea and Vietnam -- most were scared to death; their stomachs were turned upside down and they wanted to be back home with their loved ones.
But that did not stop them from attacking America's enemies bravely and without hesitation. They fought, and many died, but they did not give up because someone shot back at them.
It is for us the living to continue to defend and keep known what they fought and died for -- what they gave up all of their tomorrows for.
They did not die so that we could become complacent; nor did they die so that when we, the living, reached a single obstacle --- we should quit
They died knowing that we would go on defending their actions, defending history and defending what they gave up all their tomorrow's for.
If WE don't remember ---if WE don't defend what they fought and died for and what we fought for -- who will remember? Who will care?
How many of them and you who fought for our flag and our country and remember the feeling as Old Glory" was being raised over a piece of land we fought for ---- and many died for?
How many remember seeing or hearing about our valiant warriors, who were fighting on Iowa Jima, as they stood and cheered when they saw the flag being raised over Mt. Suribachi.
We take this time on Memorial Day to salute our Fallen Heroes who through the history of our country have fought and died for all of us.
-- Thank you , Wild Thing
Please also see UPDATE to Rolling Thunder post
Posted by Wild Thing at May 26, 2008 04:55 AM
Comments
Today is a day to remember, to reflect, to give Thanks. It's more than just a barbeque day and going to the park day.
Today I feel blessed. Blessed that my great-great uncle Bill came home from WW I alive and that my great uncles--Austin, Glenn, Red, Harry and Ralph came home alive (Ralph was wounded three times on Saipan and Glenn saw the Japanese surrender while on the Missouri.) and my sister's first husband Jeff came home alive from the first Desert Storm and that my nephews are serving so proudly in the second.
I also feel a bit guilty for having a daddy at home during Vietnam while so many of my friends didn't.
I feel a sense of obligation to honor our heroes as much as possible. My family means everything to me!
Posted by: Lynn at May 26, 2008 08:25 AM
Thanks for a good post Wild Thing. I always remember the few buddies who were killed in Vietnam. I also stop to remember men before and since killed who I never knew. Somebody yesterday on a blog post named the first Colonial Soldier killed in the Revolutionary War. We have lost a lot of men and women since then, including this past week. I hope our politicians never give away this great nation that better men than they died for.
Posted by: TomR at May 26, 2008 11:34 AM
As I put out the flag this morning I thought about how grateful I was to live in a country with so many freedoms, rights, and opportunities. There are two words when said together in real sincerity are among the most powerful of expressions that we can say to convey our feelings. So, with all sincerity, I say "Thank you" to all the men and women who have lost their lives in military service to the country.
These patriots paid the ultimate price in the meaning of yesterday's post "Freedom Is Not Free". I would like to add that Rights Come With Responsibilities. Those who serve in the military demonstrate responsibility to self, family, and country. Thank you to all of them too.
Posted by: Les at May 26, 2008 11:59 AM
First, thank you WT and the members of team Theodore, patriots all!!!
Thank you Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines.
Thank you to all veterans.
Thank you to all the families who support and defend our fighting forces, you are the unsung heroes who make freedom possible.
Posted by: Jack at May 26, 2008 12:29 PM
Thank you everyone.
(((hug)))
Posted by: Wild Thing at May 26, 2008 11:15 PM
