Memorial Day, 2008
Part of our town Memorial Day observation in the cemetery included a high school student reading from Lincoln's Gettysburg Address -
It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
5 comments:
nice.
i have such a hard time with Memorial Day, frankly, in my desire that there not be any war, it is hard to know how to honor those who have fought. I recently went to the WWII museum here in NOLA, and was so moved by it, but I have such a hard time digesting it all. I cannot help but think of all the indivivuals lost, the families effected, the lives forever changed. I am grateful there are people willing to do that, and horrified that we should ever call for their service.
I couldn't agree more, Maypole.
One thing that amazed me was when I was teaching in the New Orleans public schools (early 1990's) - there was school on Memorial Day and I was told by an older New Orleanian, with a straight face, that Memorial Day honors "the Northern Agreesors" and therefore the schools in New Orleans were open (not sure if this is still the case).
So I have a hard time with Memorial Day because there are apparently some people in our country who don't recognize it for all war dead.
I share PM's feelings, but also feel that it's such an important way to honor those who've died for their beliefs in our country.
My issue with it is the way we "celebrate" - it's such a time to kick up your heels and party, or worse, shop - and that seems just like the wrong thing.
I so love that your kids participated in something related the day. We do not have Memorial Day up here, but I was surprised that Remembrance Day was not honoured in all provinces. I have never been able to comprehend wwII...the loss was huge for the world. scary.
You know I was thinking this weekend, that there really wasn't any Memorial Day activities in the community. I know in the town next to us there is a Flag Day celebration where they are going to burn flags. Not quite the same thing though.
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