Hello,
Today, on this special day, we remember the men and women who gave their lives in the service of our nation.
It is good that a special day is required for remembering. A day of honor and remembrance is needed so that EVERY American can take the time on this day to reflect on the memory of our fallen countrymen. But a special day of remembrance is not required for the veterans of a war, or for the suvivors of a war.
The veterans will never forget Joe, or John, or Mac - men they left behind in a farmer's field, on the muddy island, a frozen hill, a rice paddy, or a hospital ward. The veterans, men and women, don't need parades or speeches to remember a fallen friend.
The survivors of a war don't need special days either. The survivors are the men and women who stayed at home and prayed for the safety of a husband, a brother, a daughter, or a son. Loved ones who never came back. The survivors are the one's that received the dreaded telegram that starts: "We regret to inform you..." The survivors are the ones that had to read the words that changed their lives forever, read the words that could never be recalled.
The veterans and the survivors don't need a special Memorial Day. We live Memorial Day every day.
Today, in 1990, the names of brave men and women are being added to a long list of those to be remembered. It is painful to me, a Gold Star Mother, to know that American families must be told that a loved one will not walk through the door, will not return from the service to laugh and cry, to grow old with memories.
Let us pray that the sacrifice of our loved ones, of our fine young men and women, is not in vain. Let us remember the price we have paid and continued to pay for freedom. Remember that all of the men and women who have died, gallantly gave their lives for our country.
Remember them.......
And finally, let us pray that on Memorial Day, 1991, we have not added new names to the list of our service men and women to be remembered.
Speech given by Betsy Gillies, Robert K. Gillies mother, Memorial Day, 1990.
Posted by: Jim McIlhenney
Email: christianamacks@comcast.net
Relationship: Marine Viet Nam Veteran
Sunday, January 25, 2004
|
