Memorial Day Reflection

The other night, while trimming some trees with my two teenage boys, they began a discussion about Vietnam. Both of them happen to have teachers who served in the conflict. We discussed the protests, how the war was managed, Cambodia, stopping the march of communism, the media and political will to win. Then the anticipated question....”What do you think Dad?” I paused some, then intimated that the war itself was tragic; another chapter in the dark side of human history; confusing in many ways. However, I honor the many military men and women who rose to the call of their country and did their duty selflessly. I romantically imagine the bugler calling them; thanking them; mourning them; honoring them.

From the beginning, we saw our founders Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Madison, Hamilton, who framed our nation into what George McGregor Burns called “The Great Experiment”, as pinnacles of America’s long history of heroes. Our Marines, Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen fittingly amoung them. It is good that we have Memorial Day to remember these heroes. To reflect upon the lives and sacrifices of those who put themselves in harm’s way for us. It is right that we remember stories of valor, flags raised upon a hill, and take inspiration from the bravery and brotherhood of these heroes demonstrated to only themselves. There are many amoung us. First Lt. Arthur MacArthur of the Civil War who raised another patriot named Douglas. Alvin York of World War I “turkey shoot” folklore. Audie Murphy, Medal of Honor recipient of World War II who single handedly saved his retreating platoon by providing cover between them and advancing Germans. Air Force general Chuck Boyd who spent 2,488 days as a Vietnam POW, and went on to be the only former POW of the era to become a four-star general.

War is hell. And that truth often makes it difficult for us to accept military heroes. In the 1960s, the commentators and influencers on our culture lead us to believe that to have “warrior heroes” is to celebrate war. I grew up during that time, coming of age believing that soldiers were people not to be respected. However, it seems that over time our nation began to rethink this belief. Without the soldier we loose a connection to our long human history of brave individuals putting themselves in harm’s way for us. These are people like us who stepped up when their country or other nations needed someone to do what no one else would.

The clearest way to understand the meaning of what these service men and women do, and have done, is the observation that freedom of speech was not secured for us by news editors, authors and playwrites, but by soldiers who sacrificed their bodies, souls and lives to get it. And would do it all over again to defend it.

Are there warrior heroes in your family or circle of friends? I grew up with the stories of various Marines, Soldiers and Sailors in our family. So many families share the legends of loved ones serving in the Civil War, World War II, Korea, Vietnam. An uncle on Omaha Beach, Korean penisula, or The Gulf of Tonkon. A family friend who earned a Bronze Star in Iraq.

It’s good that we have this day to reflect on our heroes. To consider again those who over our nation’s history secured our homeland. Unlike my childhood, today’s military is different. Respected. They are thanked when returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan. It is good we once again appreciate them. This is what I told my boys.

And all this expressed in that ubiquitous bugler we seldom consider. James Joyce, author of From Here To Eternity expressed his romantic view of that bugle. “The first note was clear and absolutely certain. There was no question or stumblin in this bugle. It swept across the quadrangle positively, held no place, played by a man who has never had a place, and can therefore play it. Listen to it. You know this song, remember?”

The bugler - calling them; thanking them; mourning them; honoring them.

Publius