“The purpose of all war is ultimately peace.” Saint Augustine of Hippo
Memorial Day: Remembrance and Reflections... Normandy American Cemetery & Memorial
Memorial Day: Remembrance and Reflections... Graves at Arlington Memorial
Memorial Day is celebrated annually on the last Monday of May and dedicated to the memory of fallen American men and women who died in all wars and armed conflicts. Initially created to honor northern soldiers who died in the Civil War, it became a way to remember those who died in World War I, II and then all wars. In 1971, it was declared a national holiday in the USA.
Every year, we pause in remembrance of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice – to give up their lives so the rest of us might live. Each casualty of war or MIA leaves behind loved ones, family members, and memories of what could have been… How do we ever forget? Who do we remember? As a war survivor myself, I want to remember the innocent children caught in the cross fires, permanently seared by bomber fuel and left for dead in collapsed buildings. I want to remember the mothers bereft of their husbands, fathers, sons, and the Biafran mothers left to watch their children slowly starve to death as birds of prey linger nearby waiting to devour their remains.
War & Lyrics ~ By Bob Marley
I want to remember the innocence of young men and women who left for war whole and returned ravaged by the horror they saw; the horror they experienced and the horror they inflicted on the enemy. I want to remember families left behind, holding pictures of loved ones, nursing broken hearts; the living dead. I want to remember every painful, poignant detail so I will never forget that the spoils of war are hollow; for the victor and the vanquished have both lost their heads… Oh war, such dreadful deeds you cast across the ocean of life; such dreadful deeds.
On Memorial Day, we attend services, we give thanks for our servicemen/women, we join the parade, we eat and reminisce about the lives of loved ones or strangers lost, we celebrate those who made it home, our sons and daughters in the forces, our friends and family; yet, we must never forget that war is not the answer. Peaceful efforts must shape our daily interactions with each other and we must all work together to mitigate the hatreds, greed, and confusions that lead us down the path to war. More Below
