5-25-15
\n(Memorial Day)<\/p>\n
They are special creatures. And rare. They do jobs not everyone understands, but they do understand. They are willing, and often do, \u201cpay with their bodies for their souls\u2019 desire,\u201d as Theodore Roosevelt, whose son Quentin was killed in an aerial dogfight over German lines, said of fallen servicemen.<\/p>\n
\nThe finest tribute we can pay
\nUnto our hero dead today,
\nIs not a rose wreath, white and red,
\nIn memory of the blood they shed;
\nIt is to stand beside each mound,
\nEach couch of consecrated ground,
\nAnd pledge ourselves as warriors true
\nUnto the work they died to do.<\/p>\n
— Edgar Guest<\/p>\n
Throughout history there have been many military forces stocked of conscripts, sometimes unwilling, even ignorant of their \u201ccause.\u201d But often \u2013 and especially in this era of the volunteer military \u2013 service people take their oaths, don their uniforms, and support their missions. Victory is their goal, but they all know that death is an option. Other options include the certainty of family separation and changed civilian lives if and when they return; and, increasingly these days, cruel injuries and challenging disabilities.<\/p>\n
But they volunteer, these special creatures. Sacrifice and Service are what their loves become. Gen. George S Patton is supposed to have said: \u201cWar is not dying for your country. It\u2019s making the other bastard die for his country.\u201d True as far as it goes, even a brilliant distinction; and a great motivational aphorism on a battle\u2019s eve. But discordant on Memorial Day.<\/p>\n
\nHeroes of old! I humbly lay
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The laurel on your graves again;
\nWhatever men have done, men may,\u2014
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The deeds you wrought are not in vain!<\/p>\n
— Austin Dobson<\/p>\n
We don\u2019t have to agree with the \u201ccause\u201d of a war or the decision to put a nation\u2019s young men and women into battle in order to admire the fallen. I dissent from many adventures of recent years \u2013 or at least their strategies and tactics \u2013 but I am in awe of those who serve, sacrifice, sustain wounds, and die. They do not hate, for the most part, as soldiers and sailors and marines and airmen have been taught throughout history. Rather they love.<\/p>\n
The motivations of those dead military souls whose we honor this weekend was more love of country than hatred of enemy. Not killing a foreign leader but protecting their families. Not focusing on distant spoils but venerating their spouses, kids, friends, and lives back home. Not against \u201cthem\u201d but for \u201cus.\u201d Paying with their souls for their hearts\u2019 desires.<\/p>\n
To slightly parse another popular phrase, as I did with Patton\u2019s above, the military man or woman did not bring us our freedom. Only God can do that, and has done that; and such a proper perspective has nurtured America for centuries, in war and peace alike. I am tempted to say that the service members might preserve our freedoms\u2026 except for this New Day and Age where civilian politicians and judges erode liberty faster than our military can \u201cdefend\u201d it.<\/p>\n
\nAll we have of freedom, all we use or know–
\nThis our fathers bought for us long and long ago.<\/p>\n
— Rudyard Kipling<\/p>\n
It saddens me that in recent American wars \u2013 let me say, larger, in recent generations \u2013 disputes rage not only over grand causes. But behind the battle lines, at home, wars claiming thousands have been undeclared, by politicians afraid of committing themselves as members of the military do, to the ultimate point. The public is often disunited, and too frequently dismissive of military service per se. Orders are countermanded; war aims abandoned; world and national politics subsume military goals. <\/p>\n
Military families are neglected and often live in poverty, on welfare benefits. Veterans organizations and private charities care in innovative and effective ways \u2013 but their every success is a blot of shame on a government that should thus care by itself for its valiant. Scandals in military hospitals and veteran\u2019s administrations are many, and continue.<\/p>\n
\u2026 It is this situation \u2013 an America far different than the nation\u2019s previous soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines fought for \u2013 this situation for which our uniformed heroes are willing to die. And an America where their chaplains are being denied the freedom to share Christ. Where the values many of them cherished or desired to defend, have changed or been perverted by courts and bureaucrats. <\/p>\n
Yet they die, and are willing to die. <\/p>\n
\nBecause you passed, and now are not,\u2014
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Because, in some remoter day,
\nYour sacred dust from doubtful spot
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Was blown of ancient airs away,\u2014
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Because you perished,\u2014must men say
\nYour deeds were naught, and so profane
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Your lives with that cold burden ? Nay,
\nThe deeds you wrought are not in vain!<\/p>\n
— Austin Dobson<\/p>\n
Special creatures, these fallen heroes. Let us honor them in our minds and hearts, in ceremonies public and private. A flower, a flag, a prayer. Prayers of thanksgiving for such as these \u2013 in all humankind, special men and women admirable for their amazing devotion and sacrifices \u2013 and prayers that their kind may not perish from amongst us.<\/p>\n
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Music vid: I had the pleasure once to meet the legendary singer\/songwriter Bill Carlisle, in the course of writing one of my books on country music. He was part of a \u201cbrother act\u201d with Cliff, and famous for leaping high on stage, guitar in hand, during one of his trademark novelty songs. I was not aware at the time that he was the writer of one of the great gospel songs, \u201cGone Home.\u201d He was reluctant to perform it often because he was identified as a comic singer \u2013 so Flatt and Scruggs, GrandPa Jones, Ricky Skaggs, and others made it part of their repertoires. Another singer who revered the song, and sang it often, was Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead, who enjoyed bluegrass and gospel music. Here is his acoustic version \u2013 appropriate here because its lyrics have become identified with fallen soldiers, brave family members, and missing friends, on Memorial Day: those who have Gone Home.<\/p>\n