Monday, May 30, 2016

Memorial Day

 
If you are able, save for them a place inside of you
and save one backward glance when you are leaving
for the places they can no longer go.

Be not ashamed to say you loved them,
though you may or may not have always.

Take what they have taught you with their dying
and keep it with your own.

And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane,
take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind.

-Maj. Michael Davis O'Donnell
KIA South Vietnam

 
 
Some thoughtless fools may wander about today with the benediction "Happy Memorial Day" on their lips, lacking any greater power of cogitation.

Every day is a happy one for those here to enjoy them, made possible by those who gave up all of their days to come to secure for us that blessing. The only military we appreciate today are those whose graves we decorated this morning, and the legions of their companions.

The correct sentiment for the day should be "To absent comrades!"
Semper Fi, guys.

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