Saluting Those Who Serve

One of my favorite scenes from the movie Saving Private Ryan is the scene where Gen. George C. Marshall reads a letter from President Lincoln to Lydia Bixby, a mother who lost five sons during the war between the states.  Now, I'm not a man who champions Hollywood's perceptions of war, but I will say that watching the first 30 minutes of this movie will move any red-blooded American to tears.  The letter reads as follows:

Executive Mansion,
Washington, Nov. 21, 1864.

Dear Madam,

I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle. I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save. I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.

Yours, very sincerely and respectfully,

A. Lincoln

Reflection of the Washington Monument in the Vietnam Wall

As I ponder the thoughts of condolence offered by our 16th president, I'm burdened by a country that seems to have lost, or misplaced, its priorities.  Tomorrow is Veterans Day, a day in which our country pauses to reflect upon those who make, or have made, great sacrifices so that we may enjoy our freedom.  I often wonder what it must have been like to storm the beaches of Normandy, not knowing if I would ever return to see my loved ones.  I think about how it must have felt to walk the Ho Chi Min trail carrying the lifeless body of a brother-in-arms only to return to an ungrateful rally of protestors  shouting "baby killer."  It infuriates me that we, as a country, often see our soldiers as expendable.  We are no longer emotionally moved by the daily reports of soldiers who pay the ultimate price.

Korean Memorial

 Last year our student government, led by Mrs. Gibbs, was challenged to adopt a veteran for the holidays.  One of our student leaders was so excited about the opportunity to be a blessing that she went out and bought the finest slippers that money could buy.  The slippers appeared to be super comfy yet very masculine.  As she met her veteran for the first time, reality coldly rushed over her.  She realized that the man she had been given the opportunity to serve did not have any feet.  Speechless and in tears, she reluctantly offered her useless gift.  He graciously responded with tears of joy and gratitude.  He reassured her that her gift would be put to use. This willingness to sacrifice for the comfort of others, my friends, is what makes America great.

Arlington National Cemetery 

Unfortunately, our veterans are too often neglected and sometimes even forgotten.  As we pause to reflect upon the sacrifices made by our veterans on this special day, may the words of G.K. Chesterton be a call of duty for us all: "Courage is almost a contradiction in terms.  It means a strong desire to live taking the form of readiness to die."

Thank you, veterans, for showing us how to love our country and the freedom that we too often take for granted.

DE