Memorial Day
God Bless America
I just got back from the Crestwood Memorial Day Parade and throughout the weekend I've been reminded of the heroic sacrifice that so many have given for the sake of the land we love. I'm still astonished that the average WWII soldier was 19 years old, 140 pounds, with maybe a high school education. What also amazes me is the humility of those in the "Greatest Generation." One of the veteran commentators on the History Channel said, "We were just doing our job. The guys who died that day are the real heroes." I also praise anyone who has sacrificed and fought for a cause higher then themselves despite all odds. That is what courage is. I'll post what Shakespeare wrote in Henry V about the Battle of Agincourt:
"This day is called the feast of Crispian:
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when the day is named,
And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And say 'To-morrow is Saint Crispian:'
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars.
And say 'These wounds I had on Crispin's day.'
Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot,
But he'll remember with advantages
What feats he did that day: then shall our names,
Familiar in his mouth as household words
Harry the king, Bedford and Exeter,
Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester,
Be in their flowing cups freshly remember'd.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remember'd;
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day"
posted by Aaron Joshua Oliver at
11:47 AM
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