Today is Memorial Day, the day to honor those who have given their lives in military service to keep us free. It is said of military members:
All gave some. Some gave all.
Today we remember those who gave all.
In a previous post, I talked about the tradition of poppies for remembrance. I have fond memories of my mother selling fabric poppies through the American Legion Auxiliary.
I’ve also explained the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day. We honor living veterans on Veterans Day; we honor those who gave their lives on Memorial Day.
I know only one soldier who died in war. My first boyfriend didn’t stay a boyfriend for long, but he remained a very good friend and became a good friend to my fiancé the next year. My future husband Jack had a replica of a Civil War siege cannon that was to scale in every detail. Our sports teams were the Pirates, so we created a pirate ship float for the homecoming parade. Jack brought the cannon and packed it with a load of small gravel.
He told Phil where to light the wick so the cannon would go off in front of the judges. Phil got impatient when it didn’t go off exactly as he thought it should. He leaned down and looked into the cannon to try to figure out what was wrong. At that moment, the cannon exploded. Phil spent hours in the infirmary having pebbles and gravel removed from his face. But that experience didn’t end his exuberance for everything life had to offer. As soon as he graduated, he signed up for the Army and was sent to Vietnam. He stepped on a land mine and ended his life serving his country in Vietnam.
This video is a tribute to Phil and all who died protecting our safety.
ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, in whose hands are the living and the dead; We give thee thanks for all those thy servants who have laid down their lives in the service of our country. Grant to them thy mercy and the light of thy presence, that the good work which thou hast begun in them may be perfected; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord. Amen.
1928 Book of Common Prayer