Memorial Day is about our Fallen

By Douglas V. Gibbs

This morning after I sat down in the living room chair to take stock of what my plans were for Memorial Day, 2013, I watched story after story after story on television about our brave military service members, and their heroic journeys through war, and life after discharge.  I appreciate their service, and as a military veteran myself, I understand their plight.  I am glad that the media, though sometimes through a biased lens that is not so supportive, is willing to produce these stories.  They are a glimpse into a world that we rarely have an opportunity to see.

Though I appreciate the fact that on Memorial Day folks are thanking our veterans, and active military, for their service, and that the mainstream media is producing features about our military and veterans that sometimes show them in a favorable light, we must remember that Memorial Day is not about them.  Memorial Day is about our fallen.  It is about honoring those heroes that died while in service.

Memorial Day is about those citizen soldiers that comprised the 3% of the colonists that were willing to stand against the greatest military power of the day to fight for the independence of a new nation.

Memorial Day is about those fighting men of the American Revolution that often wore no shoes, and weren't exactly sure what they had gotten themselves into.  They fought a well-armed professional military with limited supplies, and basic weaponry.  They pledged, despite the odds against them, their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor for an idea - a new grand experiment based on the principles of liberty and self-governance.

Memorial Day is about a young military that, to protect our trade-routes and sea-going vessels, stormed the shores of Tripoli, and other locations far across the ocean, during the Barbary Wars.

Memorial Day is about the second revolution where, during the War of 1812, the young nation's new military once again faced off with the most powerful military in the world, against all odds, and out-gunned.  Yet, those brave soldiers were willing to give up their lives, if necessary, for an idea called freedom.

Memorial Day is about those brave soldiers that fought to support Americans during the westward expansion, against fierce opposing forces, and incredible numbers.

Memorial Day is about the brothers that fought their brothers in a bloody civil war that defined America's resolve to truly reveal the meaning of the phrase: All Men Are Created Equal.

Memorial Day is about the rough riders that stormed San Juan Hill, and the brave Americans that did all that was necessary to protect America's interests in the war with Spain merely thirty years after the severe weakening of America's forces from the War Between The States.

Memorial Day is about the brave warriors in a war that America did not have to enter, but did to protect Europe against the war machines of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire.

Memorial Day is about the greatest generation as they gave their lives in yet another defense of freedom in Europe, and this time also in the Pacific, as they fought, and lost many troops and sailors, against the tyranny of the Axis Powers.

Memorial Day is about the Americans that served to stop the spread of communism in Korea and Vietnam, bravely putting their lives on the line when the politicians were unwilling to fight to win.

Memorial Day is about those Americans that gave their lives during the Cold War - a war that was often not cold, and a war that was won because of our resolve to remain strong in the face of the enemy.

Memorial Day is about those Americans that served in the Persian Gulf at a time before we fully understood what we were up against - doing it simply to protect a smaller nation from the advancing tyranny of a dictator.

Memorial Day is about those Americans that extended, or entered service, after September 11, 2001 for the purpose of defending this nation against an enemy we still understood very little.

Memorial Day is about the gunfire in the village, and the explosions on the roadway.  Memorial Day is about the heroes that, knowing the dangers and believing in the cause, gave their lives for the freedom of people they didn't even know.

Memorial Day is about our fallen.  It is a day for prayers and reflection.  It is about thanking those we can no longer thank in person.  It is about visiting the cemeteries where they lie, dropping off flowers and American Flags at their graves.  Kneeling in prayer, and dropping tears on their name plates as we remember their sacrifice.

My grandfather, World War II Veteran Thurman Douglas Clark, and my dear friend, Vietnam Veteran Paul Young, rest at Riverside National Cemetery in Southern California, surrounded by heroes - surrounded by our blessed fallen who gave their lives so that we may live in liberty.

Memorial Day is about an idea called freedom, and remembering those that gave their lives to protect that idea..

-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary