This is a day for remembering those who have fallen in service to our country, men and women who died in uniform while seeking to gain, secure and preserve the freedom that has made America a beacon of hope for well over two centuries.
That we owe them much is obvious, that we can do nothing for them anymore is simply the truth. But we can at least pay them our respects.
Not every war is just and not every death in service to our nation has been worth the terrible cost. But that in no way dimishes the valor of those who followed orders to the end or detracts from our responsibility to honor their sacrifices.
As a country, we have told our troops to fight for causes large and small and we have seen them die all over the globe, from the sands of Tarawa to snowy forests of the Ardennes, from the trenches of Seichepry to the blasted remains of Fallujah.
There is only one constant: that men and women fighting for our flag willingly put their lives on the line for us, going wherever they are sent, trying to protect each other and do their duty.
Some come home to us mostly intact, others are broken in body or spirit, or both. Some perish.
On Memorial Day, we try to remember them, to tell their stories and to tend their graves.
We should also pray that against all odds war can be driven from the earth forever. For there is no greater good we can do for our honored dead than to allow them, truly, to rest in peace.
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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
12 comments:
Great writing Steve. Just change this sentence to something a little easier to read.
That we all owe them much is obvious
Well said Steve except for one thing. Did you have to say "not every war is just"? Is it necessary top say that? Is that your opinion or is that a documented fact?
Exactly which war are you referring to? Was the Spanish American War "just"? Can we skip the Barak Obama type rhetoric here for goodness sake?
The most obvious examples of unjust wars are those we waged on many Indian tribes. But it's fair to add at least the Spanish-American war and the war against Mexico in 1847 to the list as well. More modern examples await the verdict of history.
Lers put aside the politics, the carping and just honor those who served, who gave their lives. That is what Memorial Day should be all about.
Steve, I appreciate your little "essay" and just want to say Thank You!
Amen, Steve!
Yeah yeah yeah, I don't need to kiss Steve Collins' ass to celebrate Memorial Day.
I think the "unjust war" comment was inappropriate seeing that there are soldiers fighting in what we all know liberals like Collin's feels is an unjust war.
But to give some slack here, I don't think Collins met any harm, he (and many others) just can't help it.
But at least Collins hit it right when he stated that Memorial Day is to honor those Americans killed in action fighting for our country (not anything or anybody else).
Not that it makes any difference, but I don't think the Iraq war is unjust.
Thanks for a nice little tribute, Steve.
I'm blown away by that admission
on your part Collins. Very good, there's hope for you yet.
Perhaps you might write an editorial in the Press as to why you don't?
Steve,
Nice article.
Maybe you can convince the paper to report more of what took place Monday on the BLVD, rather than write up the LAke.
Can't understand why you post the conservative crap the phony, flag-draped "patriots" spew but you still refuse to post my comments on what patriotism really means. For a more reasoned take on the subject that basically makes the same point I made, read E.J. Dione's op-ed in the Courant today.
"you still refuse to post my comments"
(Thanks Steve!)
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