[I Was Naked]

When I Wrote This

Memorial Day

2007-05-25

"Kneel where our loved are sleeping, Dear ones days gone by, Here we bow in holy reverence; Our bosoms heave the heartfelt sigh.
They fell like brave men, true as steel, And pour'd their blood like rain,We feel we owe them all we have, And can but weep and kneel again."

-Civil War hymn "Kneel Where Our Loved Lay Sleeping"

Though the tune is long gone to this song once sung over the graves of fallen soldiers over a century ago, the meaning is not lost. Prior to the official Decorations Day being declared May 5, 1868 by General John Logan, women of the south were decorating graves in remembrance of their loved ones killed in the Civil War.

General Order No.11 issued by John Logan was written as such:

The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet church-yard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.
We are organized, comrades, as our regulations tell us, for the purpose among other things, "of preserving and strengthening those kind and fraternal feelings which have bound together the soldiers, sailors, and marines who united to suppress the late rebellion." What can aid more to assure this result than cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead, who made their breasts a barricade between our country and its foes? Their soldier lives were the reveille of freedom to a race in chains, and their deaths the tattoo of rebellious tyranny in arms. We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the nation can add to their adornment and security is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let no wanton foot tread rudely on such hallowed grounds. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.
If other eyes grow dull, other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain to us.
Let us, then, at the time appointed gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with the choicest flowers of spring-time; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from hishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upon a nation's gratitude, the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan.
It is the purpose of the Commander-in-Chief to inaugurate this observance with the hope that it will be kept up from year to year, while a survivor of the war remains to honor the memory of his departed comrades. He earnestly desires the public press to lend its friendly aid in bringing to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance therewith.
Department commanders will use efforts to make this order effective.
By order of
JOHN A. LOGAN,
Commander-in-Chief

The day has since lost is somber meaning over the last century, though in light of this never ending struggle in the Mideast, maybe its relevance should weigh more on our conscience. Bill Clinton in May of 2000 issued a National Memo to promote a National Moment of Remembrance:

Accordingly, I hereby direct all executive departments and agencies, in consultation with the White House Program for the National Moment

of Remembrance (Program), to promote a ``National Moment of Remembrance'' to occur at 3 p.m. (local time) on each Memorial Day.

Recognizing that Memorial Day is a Federal holiday, all executive departments and agencies, in coordination with the Program and to the extent possible and permitted by law, shall promote and provide
resources to support a National Moment of Remembrance, including:

Encouraging individual department and agency personnel, and Americans everywhere, to pause for one minute at 3:00 p.m. (local time) on Memorial Day, to remember and reflect on the sacrifices made by so many to provide freedom for all.

Recognizing, in conjunction with Memorial Day, department and agency personnel whose family members have made the ultimate sacrifice for this Nation.

Providing such information and assistance as may be necessary for the Program to carry out its functions. I have asked the Director of the White House Millennium Council to issue additional guidance, pursuant to this Memorandum, to the heads of executive departments and agencies regarding specific activities and events to commemorate the National Moment of Remembrance.

Since we already have 11-11-11 to remember, it isn't that much harder to throw 5-30-3 out there and take a moment. Lord knows the man didn't too much much else in office, and this one proclamation should at least be given some credence.

I stopped at the Wawa the other night, and as I parked my car I saw a group of older folk, card table set up, not looking like they expected much from the crowd going in and out to even glance their way. I myself was limited on cash, but made a mental note to check them out on my way out of the store. One thing I can say about Wawa, its easy to burn $20.00 in ten minutes. I kept my self in check though, and as I exited the store, the woman with her navy blue hat looked up at me, as I interrupted her conversation.

"Whatever it is, I hope its only a dollar, since it's all I have left" I said to her and handed over the last bill in my hand.

She actually beamed, looked oddly at my bluetooth earpiece that glowed eerily from my right ear, and handed over a simple red poppy and said thank you.

I walked to my car, and looked at the wire stem, wrapped in floral tape, a flower that more resembled a red four leaf clover, and a yellow pin on top. The paper tag, proclaimed it was made by veterans in the home, and I gave them credit for still having the strength left in arthritic hands, to wrap wire and tape to do what little they still could for their fallen brethren.

I couldn't do what these people have done. I'm a survivor in life sure, but battling the everyday things to keep one in this lifetime, is a hell of a lot different than giving yourself over to your Country. I took offense the other day at work, because I was told I wasn't paid to think. I won't say where that conversation went, however I reminded them I'm not a tool, and quite frankly I am paid to think.

But when you live a military life, they own you. You're told what to wear, when to get up, when to eat and sleep, all to create a force to defend this country. They aren't told to die, though in the back of every soldier's mind they know it is a possibility. They do this for love of our country, and we need to do more than just celebrate Memorial Day by tanning our legs, and grilling hot dogs. See if you have enough guts on Memorial Day to take a moment and raise your glass, or beer can, and give a toast to our men and women out there who have gone before us.

I ran across this memorial, and found it fitting with the recent controversy with illegal immigrants and felt it worth posting here.

Engracia Sirina Gutierrez, center, sister of of Lance Cpl. Jose Antonio Gutierrez, fights back tears following his funeral in Lomita, California

One of the first U.S. soldiers to die in Iraq was not an American citizen. He'd come here illegally as a teenager. His name was José Antonio Gutierrez. He was killed on March 21, 2003 by enemy fire while trying to secure Umm Qasr, a port vital for humanitarian aid. He was a 22-year-old lance corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps.

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