On this Memorial Day, it behooves us to remember the long line of men and women who have died that we may live in freedom and in democratic prosperity. Their sacrifices earned us our liberty.
Are we, as individuals and as a country, worthy of their sacrifices?
Most of us are familiar with Steven Spielberg’s World War II film “Private Ryan,” where Captain Miller and others die that Private Ryan might live. As he dies, Miller directs his last words to Ryan. “James… earn this. Earn it.”
As an old man Ryan visits Miller’s grave and tearfully asks his wife. “Tell me I’ve lived a good life. Tell me I’m a good man.”
I suggest to you that Miller’s last words apply to all of us: “America… earn this. Earn it.”
“America… earn this. Earn it.” These words come from every vet and are the sacred obligation, joyous duty, and honored responsibility of every American.
As a country, to be the City on the Hill, a bright and shining light of all the best in humanity, fulfilling the greatest potential of the human spirit.
As individuals, to live a life worthy of the sacrifices that make a life of freedom possible, daily doing our level best to be our best, living our lives to be the finest role models we can envision.
What will you do today, tomorrow, and for all your tomorrows to live a life worthy of the ultimate sacrifices that have made it possible?
Earn it? I think many could start by watching an hour of C-span instead of American Idol. I think a day dedicated to learning something about the workings of one’s own government and its origins would be a fine start for most. It is quite difficult to honor properly the gift fallen heroes have given if you would allow their country to be hijacked by your own vote. i.e. What form of government do we really have, and why? What principles did those men die for? What principles would YOU die for?
I think using Memorial Day for some self questioning or discussion along these lines is a great first step. Living a good life is definitely essential, though I think it would be materially incomplete with out a proper perspective on our government (locally/regionally/nationally) and what these men thought of it.
You can’t…honor those that serve and who have fallen…support the troops..and remember freedom is never free…no life is replaceable..no matter how well you live yours..soldiers serve and do their duty for god and country..honor America’s ideals and you honor their sacrafices..
Reminds me of this sonnet I heard Garrison Keillor read:
We’re here to honor those who went to war
Who did not wish to die, but did die, grievously,
In eighteen sixty-one and in two-thousand four
Though they were peaceable as you or me.
Young and innocent, they knew nothing of horror—
Singers and athletes, and all in all well-bred.
Their sergeants, mercifully, made them into warriors,
And at the end, they were moving straight ahead.
As we look at these headstones, row on row on row,
Let us see them as they were, laughing and joking,
On that bright irreverent morning long ago.
And once more, let our hearts be broken.
God have mercy on them for their heroic gift.
May we live the good lives they would have lived.