“The Soldier, above all other people, prays for peace – for he must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.”
- Douglas MacArthur
Many Americans mark Memorial Day as the first “get away” day of summer – even if it only means spending time in our backyards with a cold beer, some BBQ, family and friends.
But this year, I hope we do more than simply grab our flip-flops and fire up the grill.
5000+ REASONS TO REMEMBER
This year, as summer begins, the War on Terror has reached some sobering milestones. By late last week, American troops killed in action in Iraq had risen to more than 4000. And in Afghanistan, the death toll had climbed beyond 1000.
In the months ahead, those numbers are expected to swell, as US troops in Afghanistan surge to more than 98,000 during an all-out effort to secure Taliban strongholds. (For details about shifting troop levels in the War on Terror, read the New York Times story, “Troops in Afghanistan Now Outnumber Those in Iraq” by Elisabeth Bumiller. Or read USA Today’s article, “US Military Death Toll in Afghanistan Reaches 1000.” )
So on this particular Memorial Day, it’s important to remember what this national holiday is really about. Please consider the sacrifices of those – past, present and future – who pay the ultimate price for our freedoms.
As one young, recently-widowed Marine bride observes in her poignant blog:
A Little Pink in a World of Camo:
“Thanksgiving is a day to be thankful for what we have. Memorial day is a day to be thankful for those who died for what we have.”
A MEMORIAL DAY MOMENT – CLOSE TO HOME
Yesterday, for the very first time at the church I attend, our congregation shared a moment of silence for those who gave their lives in service to our country. A Soldier slowly marched to the front of the pews, stepped up to the communion table, and placed a folded flag on a small stand. Then, as Taps played in the background, he saluted the flag. It was a small gesture to honor all those who have served on our behalf. But moreover, it reminds us that our liberties have been won at a tremendous cost.
I’m not the only veteran in my congregation. Two others served in the Korean War, and one in Vietnam. One of the Korean War vets recalls how only 32 of 200 troops in his company returned home alive. The other Korean War vet’s voice still chokes with emotion when he speaks of his service. The Vietnam vet never talks about his experience.
A WARRIOR’S HONOR STARTS WITH DUTY
Unless we’ve been there ourselves, we can never fully appreciate the impact of war on those who serve. However, we can certainly appreciate those who did serve. And we can honor those who gave their lives “to defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic,” to quote the Oath of Enlistment.
These men and women believed what our government told them – that military action is necessary to defend our values and liberties. And that enemies will attack us and threaten our way of life if we do not fight and defeat them abroad.
Whether troops are drafted or volunteer, our government representatives send them into harm’s way on our behalf – to do battle with those who publicly oppose our way of life. It isn’t pretty. And in fact, it can be horribly lethal. But it is our duty.
BIGGER THAN POLITICS
As citizens, we may disagree about whether military action is wise or necessary. Thankfully, our government grants us the freedom to do so. That government doesn’t belong to someone else. As imperfect as it may be, it is OUR government – “of the people, for the people, by the people” – to quote President Lincoln.
As Americans, it’s our birthright to state our opinions. In fact, it’s not only our right, but our obligation to speak up – because healthy debate and a diverse expression of ideas can ultimately create better laws. Political debate has existed since before we became an independent nation – and it will continue for as long as we are free to disagree. Despite its potential to distract us from core issues, dissent is part of our democratic system – and ironically it’s part of our system’s unique strength.
But Memorial Day isn’t about politics. It’s about something much more fundamental and enduring than any law, any election – or even any political party. It’s about remembering those who believed in preserving democracy – and protecting it to the death – so that we might live in peace.
REMEMBRANCE – WHERE & WHY IT ALL BEGAN
More than any other President, Abraham Lincoln witnessed the violence and horrors of war – and the sacrifices of Americans who fought. More Americans were killed in our own Civil War than any other war in our country’s history. Shortly after the Civil War ended, Memorial Day began. Initially, it was known as Decoration Day – because family, friends and fellow Soldiers decorated the graves of those who died in battle.
It seems appropriate to reflect on Lincoln’s famous words as he honored those killed at Gettysburg:
“The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. 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.”
FROM GETTYSBURG TO KABUL – AN UNBROKEN LINK
We are now in a state of declared war with a global opponent who, under pretext of religion, wants to destroy our system of government. Along the way, they’ll gladly destroy anyone who doesn’t support their radical twist on Islam.
Fortunately, only a very small percentage of the world’s Muslims subscribe to this extreme agenda. However, let’s not forget that it only required a minority of Germans to lead the Nazi movement. We should never underestimate the power of a small-but-violent minority to wreak havoc that rocks the world.
What does this mean for our military personnel who are fighting against oppression from today’s Muslim extremists?
CHOOSING TO FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT
Like those who fought in Germany, Japan, Korea and Vietnam, they are fighting because our government sent them. But unlike those who served in some previous wars, every one of today’s Soldiers volunteered to be there. Every member our armed forces has personally chosen to sacrifice in whatever way necessary on your behalf, and mine.
And therefore – whether you agree with the people or policies that shape our country’s current military actions – I hope we can agree that every member of our military deserves our gratitude and respect.
So, regardless of whether you personally know someone who’s served or died – I hope you’ll pause to remember their sacrifice. I hope you won’t forget what that sacrifice means for your life. And I hope you’ll understand that (as General MacArthur observed), peace is perhaps more important to Soldiers than anyone else.
Jeff
P.S. To read about my thoughts and experiences while I was deployed as a trainer with the Army National Guard on the Pakistan border, check out my book, “Afghan Journal: A Soldier’s Year in Afghanistan.” Read an excerpt and reviews at the “Afghan Journal” site, or buy the book at Amazon.com.
