This is too true and it is unfortunate.
"Discussion wih a One-Legged Man"
I tend to wander around cemeteries. Especially right before Memorial Day. It
seems to help me regain focus on the day that is set aside to honor those
who have served this nation in uniform. On one such visit, I noticed a man
(a fairly old man with white hair) wearing part of a military uniform Why I
noticed is pretty simple...he had only one leg...and was supported by his
remaining leg..and 2 wooden crutches. It kind of stands out...especially in
a cemetery.
As I got closer to where he was standing....I noticed the medals on his
uniform jacket. I tend to notice such things as someone wearing a Silver
Star and a Bronze Star. It kind of stands out....especially in a cemetery.
I started up a conversation. We talked for a couple of hours...both of us
having served in the Army. Him in WWII...me in Vietnam. He told of how he
served in Italy, fighting inch by inch up the country. How he lost his best
friend at Anzio...how he lost his leg at a place called Monte Casino. (He
said that he missed his friend much more than his leg.) We both came to a
silent understanding. That we were Brothers.
From the cemetery we could see the freeway below...and all the cars full of
people on their way to someplace. We could see the stores below..and the
people going in to those stores to shop...and buy things for themselves or
their families...and then.he asked me (and maybe just all the dead that lay
nearby)...the question that made me want to remember him...and write about him.
In a slow, sad voice, he asked...." I wonder if any of them know?? I wonder
if any of them know the price that their freedom cost??? I wonder if any of
them know that their freedom was paid for in blood...and lives?? I wonder if
any of them know that every square inch of this nation has been paid for
with the blood of their fathers...sons..and brothers?"
Stunned....I stammered out something about Memorial Day coming up. He looked
at me and just shook his head..."They don't care about it...except it gives
them a three-day weekend. They don't WANT to remember us....we aren't
popular." I wanted to tell him that he was wrong...that they DO remember.
But, in the end, he was right. Most do NOT remember.
It has become a three day weekend. Time for camping...or over-time at
work...or getting drunk at the barbecue. MOST do not remember. MOST do not
WANT to remember.
But there is still time to change the outcome of this coming Memorial Day.
There is STILL time to place the flags on the graves....and to stand at the
end of those graves and tell those who served this nation..."Thank you!"
I KNOW where I will be on Memorial Day. I will be with my children placing
flags...and introducing my children to new friends. Those who can no longer
speak...except through us. But those, if we are to remain free, we NEED to
remember.
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't
pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for,
protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend
our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it
was once like in the United States where men were free."