Posted by
1933key on Monday, May 28, 2007 2:26:28 AM
Memorial Day nine years ago marked a
deeply moving milestone, prompting a heartfelt letter request of everyone I
know, to please find a veteran and sincerely thank them for their courage and dedication.
The same message strikes even deeper now, while we all reflect on how many
casualties and injuries our service personnel have endured and continue to
suffer. The original letter follows this one.
One friend (and former boss) replied
to my ’98 letter by writing, “Thanks for taking the time to share your exploits
and experiences with us. I am currently printing this message to share, not
only with the employees of …, but also with some selected others who need to
hear the message that you have been so eloquent in sharing. Funny how the
mundane, everyday slices of life in this country can be overlooked so easily
and yes even taken for granted. It is only when these can be viewed from a
different perspective, like the one you now have, that they can be truly
appreciated.”
Of course at that time there was no
way to fathom the massive patriotic rejuvenation sparked by the heinously dubious
terrorist attacks in 2001, and the following US-led invasions of two foreign
nations. Today, as veterans and all patriots spare time to remember the ‘courage
it took to dedicate their lives to protect our great nation,’ may we also
remember the ‘values
America
was built on’ – which our soldiers and veterans swore allegiance to. I implore
everyone to re-read the ‘
The
unanimous declaration of the thirteen United States of America.’ When you
finish reading it, ask yourself, ‘Do I read Fear -- or Courage -- in our
Declaration?’
Does our Declaration, which inspired
change throughout the civilized world, intend to actually protect dishonesty, moral
hollowness or tyranny?
A business leader
(whom most of us have studied at one point or another) sums up the feelings
that all patriots of conscience are feeling, “You can't call yourself a patriot
if you're not outraged” (Lee Iacocca in ‘
Where
Have All the Leaders Gone?’).
Whether or not you and I will agree
on politics, methods of activism, or the sensitive positions of patriot
veterans
Donald Buswell,
Ehren Watada, or even
Sibel Edmonds, can agree that America
SHOULD be the Home of the Free, Land of the Brave. In support of this
affirmation, our veterans deserve our love, support and prayers. May God (and
all patriots) forbid
America
becoming the Home of the Slave, Land of the Coward.
Today when displaying our flag, and
admiring the glory of our stars and stripes across our great nation and abroad,
please remember, if even for a moment, that veteran patriots currently on the
battlefield, in recovery, and in history past, deserve our courage to support
the America she was born to be: a Beacon of Liberty, Truth, Justice, Honor unto
God.
Again, I plead,
please find (at least) one veteran, and tell them "thank you" for
me.
While sadly I can now only pay
reverence to my Grandpa in memory, I can still tell you, Dad, “Thank You,” for
leading the way.
I love you.
And to all
of you a very special Memorial Day ('Decoration Day').
May God bless
you and your family in your strides to peace,JF
-------
Original Message -------
From:
JF
Sent:
Monday, May 25, 1998 6:46 AM EST
Subject: My Memorial DayAs you
know, I am on the other side of the world from my home, following a dream, and
trying to follow God's purpose from my life.
Everything has been pretty smooth, but today, I have to say, is very
moving for me.
Back home I was not very
involved in the planning of holiday events, because they always seemed to come
and go without much impact.
However,
today is different.
Every
Monday morning at work, we have an office meeting, to discuss important
issues.
I took the opportunity to wish
every one a 'lighthearted' "Happy Memorial Day," even though it has
absolutely no meaning for them.
I tried
briefly explaining the meaning, and it's origin. I mentioned that my family has
had a strong military background, from Grandma and
Grandpa, to my father, and even myself.
The purpose
of Memorial Day is to remember the lost, the brave, the courageous... basically
for those who fought to defend
America's
independence, sovereignty, and way of life, plus quality of living.
When I was trying to explain to my new
Taiwanese co-workers how important this day is to
America, I realized how important
it really is to me.
I miss
driving down any given road back home, and seeing the beautiful Red White and
Blue, flying in the wind, representing the values America was built on. I miss looking into the eyes of my
Grandfather and father, and seeing the courage it took to dedicate their lives
to protect our great nation. I miss America, where
I am encouraged by seeing someone risk all they have, to make a better life for
their family and future generations. I
miss the stories elderly people share with me, about what America was like
years ago.
On this
day, the veterans who sacrificed for my country, are remembered, and my heart
aches because I have not the liberty to visit them and tell them in
person. So, I am asking you, please find
one veteran, and tell them "thank you" for me. Dad, Grandpa, Thank You, for leading the way. I love you.
And to all
of you a very special Memorial Day (or 'Decoration Day' as my Grandma says).
God Bless,
JF