Centerfield

Memorial Day

As always on Memorial Day, I am reminded of my great-grandfather's speech, given on May 31, 1921.

Those pioneers of the new freedom were not actuated by any hope of riches or pecuniary rewards. They fought and laid down their lives for liberty and they achieved it.

They fought for us; for us they fell. And today we, with one accord forgetting blood and party, sect and creed, in deepest reverence do them honor. Nor, for their sakes, can we forget the desolated ones they left behind. Our tears or words of sympathy cannot bring back the comfort of those loving hands, the music of those voices stilled forever. Only the 'solemn pride' of having given more than all the rest, is theirs who lived to weep. But all the world, because of what they gave, is debtor to the blood that fills their veins.

To him, to my 3 cousins on active duty in the U.S. Army, to all who fought and sacrified for our country, and to all those who loved them:

Thank you

Posted by PatHMV at May 29, 2006 08:49 AM