Memorial Day, 2012

“All we’ve been given by those who came before, the dream of a nation where freedom would endure. The working prayers of centuries have brought us to this day. What shall be our legacy? What will our children say?“

“For those who think they have nothing to share, who feel in their hearts, there is no hero there. Though each cry for dignity is that which fortifies, the soul of a nation that will never die…”

“Let them say of me, I was one who believed in sharing the blessings I received. Let me know in my heart when my days are through, America, America, I gave my best to you.“

Thank you.

Two common words, so easy to say, cannot begin to contain all we feel, all we owe, and so we resolve to pause, if only briefly, from our relentless narcissism, our focus on having more, on measuring our value by the size or location of our house or the brand of our car or our mobile phone.

We, the lucky, the unscarred, the living, resolve to remember those who have made our lives of comfort and luxury possible. those, whose sacrifice and honor shine brightly enough to still be a beacon of hope and a promise of freedom for the rest of the world.

The debt cannot be repaid so the least we can do is pause and remember.

“Let them say of me, I was one who believed in sharing the blessings I received. Let me know in my heart when my days are through, America, America, I gave my best to you.“