In my town, we recognize Memorial Day by gathering at a cemetery. Members of the VFW present the colors, the high school band plays the national anthem, and people stand among the grave markers. As is tradition, an eighth-grade girl recites a poem, and an eighth-grade boy reads the Gettysburg Address. There is a twenty-one-gun salute, presentation of wreaths at the Civil War Memorial placed by a WW2 veteran and a Korean War veteran, and a speech.
This year, the speech was given by a navy man who served during the Vietnam War. He wondered what history books would say about the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and wondered if they would be given more than a chapter or two. He hoped that at least the soldiers who sacrificed would be remembered well. He finished with this quote by Rupert Hughes, 1919:
"The true lovers of humanity are those who put on the uniform with regret, fight like all hell when wearing it, take it off with rejoicing, but hang it where it can be got at if necessary,and remember that they must stand watch in civilian's clothes, over the trophies of victory."
Defining the "trophies of victory" in our current war will spark debate for decades. But as a matter of principle, I think the soldiers should be remembered with respect regardless of the mission they are assigned.
My favorite part of this ceremony is always the playing of taps at the end. In my town, they are played by a man called Skeetz who fought in WW2. He taught himself to play the trumpet over 60 years ago and has been playing in bands ever since. Currently he sits behind me in the summer band. When he plays the taps, I get choked up, not just because it's a solemn moment and a tradition I hold dear*, but because each year I think may be Skeetz' last. I have to wonder if Skeetz thinks the same thing. He stands back in the trees behind the gathering and plays precisely and purely, the same way he played when he first learned as a soldier.
*In my town, eighth grade kids are taken to Washington, D.C. on an educational trip. Both of my daughters played taps for their classes at a service held at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
This year, the speech was given by a navy man who served during the Vietnam War. He wondered what history books would say about the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and wondered if they would be given more than a chapter or two. He hoped that at least the soldiers who sacrificed would be remembered well. He finished with this quote by Rupert Hughes, 1919:
"The true lovers of humanity are those who put on the uniform with regret, fight like all hell when wearing it, take it off with rejoicing, but hang it where it can be got at if necessary,and remember that they must stand watch in civilian's clothes, over the trophies of victory."
Defining the "trophies of victory" in our current war will spark debate for decades. But as a matter of principle, I think the soldiers should be remembered with respect regardless of the mission they are assigned.
My favorite part of this ceremony is always the playing of taps at the end. In my town, they are played by a man called Skeetz who fought in WW2. He taught himself to play the trumpet over 60 years ago and has been playing in bands ever since. Currently he sits behind me in the summer band. When he plays the taps, I get choked up, not just because it's a solemn moment and a tradition I hold dear*, but because each year I think may be Skeetz' last. I have to wonder if Skeetz thinks the same thing. He stands back in the trees behind the gathering and plays precisely and purely, the same way he played when he first learned as a soldier.
*In my town, eighth grade kids are taken to Washington, D.C. on an educational trip. Both of my daughters played taps for their classes at a service held at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
Comments
Good post robyn about the true meaning of memorial. It's much more than cookout's, drinking and sales in the stores.
I do not support the war, but I totally support the troops and their families.