[Wondergirl]

First published: May 27, 2012

One of our members (FirstChair) sent us an essay that is mainly about Memorial Day in the US, but really applies to all free nations as they struggle against those who want to bring them down.

After her essay, I ended with Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s “Decoration Day.” Its solemn, hymn-like lines pay tribute to what was then a new form of civic observance: a day set aside to commemorate those who had perished in the Civil War by placing flags and flowers on soldiers’ graves, a custom that gradually gave rise to the US’s official Memorial Day that honors all who give their lives in military service.

From FirstChair –

Since the beginning and through the ages, there have been many wars fought on many battlefields and for what purpose? — one for Control and the other most important reason of all, for Freedom.

Bruce Springsteen sings, “War! What is it good for? Absolutely nothing.” There is a line drawn in the hearts and minds of people of all nations and some would say it is absolutely necessary to kill and keep tyrants and madmen at bay on foreign soil so that we are safe in our own homeland of America and the homeland of our allies. However, the fabric of even our Nation has been invaded, torn apart, and many lives did meet a final sacrifice. The enemy is within, it has been said, and in spite of all the experts, modern technology, and safeguards, we did not see it coming at Ground Zero and beyond. The symbol 911 became etched in our minds when the heart of America was wounded, but not destroyed.

We are strong, resilient, tenacious builders and restorers of the infrastructures we create and especially restorers of human faith and hope. A final question: Do we continue to assist and help the people of foreign countries who are also invaded or controlled on a human scale of mass suffering by the tyrants and the madmen who control them and instill fear?

War has caused great sacrifices in times past and even now to our men and women in uniform and to our allies. We have tolerated and when necessary we don’t run, we fight! Family members, fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, partners, and individuals have been taken from our presence not to be seen ever again as we knew them. There are those who have lost an arm, a leg, two legs, and even their eyesight. Soldiers have returned home with horrendous physical and psychological wounds. Far too many have given the ultimate sacrifice of their very lives, and it is on this day that we remember especially those. But never…NEVER…must we lose the vision of Hope, Faith, and Love for all humanity. In the words of Anne Frank, “In spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart. I simply can’t build up my hopes on a foundation consisting of confusion, misery and death.”

Our hope is in the Youth of All Nations and the legacy we choose to leave for them. May this day also be remembered as a new beginning that no longer will anger and fear rule in the hearts of mankind. May peace and goodwill one day be realized throughout the entire world, that our fallen rest in peace and our warriors return to their homelands to be reunited with loved ones once again. In remembrance of all this Memorial Day…

Decoration Day

Sleep, comrades, sleep and rest
On this Field of the Grounded Arms,
Where foes no more molest,
Nor sentry’s shot alarms!

Ye have slept on the ground before,
And started to your feet
At the cannon’s sudden roar,
Or the drum’s redoubling beat.

But in this camp of Death
No sound your slumber breaks;
Here is no fevered breath,
No wound that bleeds and aches.

All is repose and peace,
Untrampled lies the sod;
The shouts of battle cease,
It is the Truce of God!

Rest, comrades, rest and sleep!
The thoughts of men shall be
As sentinels to keep
Your rest from danger free.

Your silent tents of green
We deck with fragrant flowers
Yours has the suffering been,
The memory shall be ours.

– Henry Wadsworth Longfellow