Thank you

Today is Memorial Day in the U.S., time to remember those who have dies for our freedoms. Don’t forget them or take these freedoms for granted. Not everyone has them.

“The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.”
― G.K. Chesterton

“War must be, while we defend our lives against a destroyer who would devour all; but I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Two Towers

In memoriam

Memorial Day…Never forget!

Memorial Day, whenever celebrated, whatever called, is a day we should welcome, lest we forget those who fought and died for the freedoms we enjoy.  Here’s something I wrote for a previous Memorial Day.

 Above us

“In Flanders field the poppies blow…”

And grow, too
(as well they should
given our bones and flesh and blood
gone to fertilizer)

gone to grow
not peace
but yet more war
another layer of human fertilizer
above us

When will they ever learn?

No doubt
never
“Man” being what he is

But there are things worth fighting for
and so we gave our all
(and cheered those left behind
to live and grow
above us)

Remember

In memory of my father-in-law, Wayne Webb, who landed at Omaha Beach and also in the Pacific,
and
with thanks to my father and all men and women in all branches of the service: those who served, those who died,
those who still serve, and to all of their families.

Thank you.  We remember.

Lest we forget

Memorial Day.  In memory.