On this Memorial Day we remember the men and women who have sacrificed their lives in the service of our country.
This Taps Buglers at Arlington National Cemetery YouTube video (about 4 mins. duration) concludes with sounds, pictures and words that always bring tears to my eyes. I always think of how each of those individuals lives might have been different had they lived, as would the lives of so many others.
I long for peace with freedom.
Indeed I too long for peace. I am sadden when thinking of all who have given their lives for our country. Sadden also for civilians and others who wanted peace and lost their lives in war. Perhaps we one day will expand the meaning of Memorial Day to think and act on the idea of nonviolent conflict resolution. Have a peaceful Memorial Day.
ReplyDeleteEven if we don't know the person being buried, military funerals are so sad. Youth should not have to die so needlessly fighting old men's wars. Pray for peace.
ReplyDeleteWell said. The current war feels so much like the VietNam War that it's scary.
ReplyDeleteI'm tired of our leaders thinking that we have to fix everything and sacrifice our sons and daughters for their power struggles.
I have been at Arlington National Cemetery while a military funeral was being held. The bugler's song is a very moving experience.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get your wish. Peace and Freedom...magic words.
More appropriate oberservance of Memorial Day would be to honor those who died in wars with a Peace Day. That would include all stores to be closed, so it would no longer appear that war is an economic bargain, and silent walks through veterans' and other cemetaries.
ReplyDeleteLonging for peace is not enough: we have to put our bodies on the path.
Bob: I couldn't agree more, that nonviolent conflict resolution is the answer. I recall thinking when I was 21 that all that would be required would be for everyone to refuse to take up arms. Someday!
ReplyDeleteDarlene: Maybe if we sent off to battle all the old men who make the decision to go to war, they'd exercise more restraint.
Kay: Yeah, I think the decision to go to war by those who promoted it, ordered it and supported it was an exercise in extremely poor judgment to put it mildly. Does criminal behavior by some of those individuals seem more appropriate?
Pattie: Can well imagine how emotional hearing Taps at Arlington would be based on how it affects me in other settings. Such feelings must be intensely magnified for those having a loved one buried there, which I hope was not the case for you.
Naomi: Your proposal for a Peace Day, with commercial businesses closing and citizens walking through the cemetaries sounds like a much more meaningful way to commemorate those who died because of war.