Memorial Day

I am proud to be a soldier. I am proud to serve this country, proud to wear the uniform, proud to be a part of a beautiful tradition of courage and honor. But today is not about me, nor about any other living veteran; we have our own day, Veterans Day, and it is not this day.

This day is Memorial Day. This day is set aside to remember those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, who have died in service to their country. This day is for valuing the freedoms we have as Americans and paying tribute to those who gave their lives to preserve those freedoms.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, photo not mine

“A veteran is someone who, at one point in their life wrote a blank check made payable to “The United States of America,” for an amount up to and including their life.”   — Unknown

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.

-Lt Col John McCrae, 1915