Memorial Day

May 25, 2008 - 9:24pm — mdoneil

The LOC Veterans' History Project observes Memorial Day.

I know there are quite a few LISNews readers including Dr. de la Pena McCook, and myself that are related to veterans. Today take a brief moment to thank then for their service and remember those who have died.

I was in New York City this past week and it was Fleet Week. I was walking to my hotel on 51st near Rockefeller Plaza when I saw a group of high school students who were obviously in town on a tour turn and applaud a group of young sailors as they walked past. It must have taken the sailors half an hour to walk through the plaza as others thanked them and shook their hands.

Remember your veteran today, and remember all of the veterans who have served our nation to give us the freedoms we now enjoy.

IN FLANDERS FIELDS

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

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

We remember these honorable men and women not because of how they died, but because of how they lived.

I offer my most humble prayers for each and everyone those who lost their lives fighting for our freedom; more importantly I pray that we may we soon have an everlasting peace so that we need not inscribe into our collective rememberance another young servicemember's name.