Lest We Forget!

...we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract.

Abraham Lincoln, The Gettysburg Address, November 19, 1863

No words, written or spoken, that I or any person can produce will convey the scope and magnitude of the sacrificed made by the men and women who have died in the service of this nation.

We have built great and small monuments to honor them, yet none have the power or speak more eloquently than a simple flag.


Today politicians from the President to your local Mayor will all trek out to the local Veteran's Cemetary or War Monument, make a speech, lay a wreath and then, forget about the true meaning of the day. Yet those of us who did serve, many in far away lands, will remember with pride each of our friends who did not return home, and we will weep.

Too many of our fellow countrymen never have served, and view this day not of one to remember those who have fallen, but a 3-day mini-vacation to have fun. Or a day in which the stores will be holding some of their biggest sales. For the spirit of America is not within them. These people hold an idea that sacrifice is not worth the effort, that only a fool would give their life for a cause, an ideal, this nation. They have lost their essence, striving only for what their selfish desires will bring to them, afraid to stand and be counted among those who served.



At Arlington National Cemetary there stands the Tomb of the Unknowns. Dedicated to American servicemen who have died without their remains being identified. Inscribed on the western panel of the tomb is:

HERE RESTS IN
HONORED GLORY
AN AMERICAN
SOLDIER
KNOWN BUT TO GOD

It is considered one of the highest honors to serve as a sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknowns. The men and women who serve this duty are some of the finest troops in the services. Day and night, Rain, sleet, snow or sunshine, they hold guard over the dead. Not for the tourists, dignitaries or others, but out of respect for those who have died in defense of this great nation.

From Wikipedia

There is a meticulous ritual the guard follows when watching over the graves:

1. The soldier walks 21 steps across the Tomb. This alludes to the 21-gun salute, which is the highest honor given to any military or foreign dignitary in America. His weapon is always on the shoulder opposite the Tomb (i.e., on the side of the gallery watching the ritual).
2. On the 21st step, the soldier turns and faces the Tomb for 21 seconds.
3. The soldier then turns to face the other way across the Tomb and changes his weapon to the outside shoulder.
4. After 21 seconds, the first step is repeated.

The guard is changed every 1/2 hour from March 15 to September 30 (Summer), and every hour from October 1 to March 14 (Winter). After the cemetery closes to the public (7pm to 8am April through September, and 5pm to 8am October through March), the guard is changed every two hours until the cemetery reopens.

Tomb of the unknown Soldier -Changing of the Guard



View at YouTube.

Thus it goes on, never ending, a living memorial to those who have died.

Cartoon hat tip to The Jungle Hut

Today, before you stoke up the grill, play a game of softball or run to the stores in search for that big sale, take a few minutes to say a short prayer in memory of those who died to keep us all free.

God Bless Them!
God Bless America!