Remember !! A Memorial Day Tribute !!

Memorial Day

Did you know that the first memorial day ceremony was observed on May 30, 1868 in commemoration of the soldiers that were killed in the civil war. It was originally called Decoration Day and is to be celebrated the last Monday of every May to honor those soldiers who have lost their lives in the service of their country.

General Joshua L. Chamberlain (pictured left) was an unassuming college professor prior to entering into service as a Union army lieutenant colonel during the Civil War. Chamberlain served in over 20 different engagements and was wounded 6 different times in doing so. He finished his career as a Major General and ended up speaking at a Memorial Day ceremony for fallen soldiers in 1884. Here is an excerpt from his address that was given that day.

"It is not that these men are dead, but that they have so died...that they offered themselves willingly to death in a cause vital and dear to humanity; and what is more, a cause they comprehended as such, and looking at it, in all its bearings and its consequences, solemnly pledged to it all that they had and were.... This comprehension of the cause—this intelligent devotion—this deliberate dedication of themselves to duty—these deaths suffered in testimony of their loyalty, faith and love, make these men worthy of honor today, and these deaths equal to the lauded deaths of martyrs. Not merely that the cause was worthy but that they were worthy.... God grant to us that lesson of devotion and loyalty be not lost...."

"They gave their best for something held dearer than joy—something of good beyond their personal experience; the giving of which, in this world's estimation, is of such cost that it cannot be justified by your understanding but only in your overpassing faith."

"We do not live for self.... We are a part of a larger life, reaching before and after, judged not by deeds done in the body but deeds done in the soul. We wish to be remembered. Willing to die, we are not willing to be forgotten."

I hope we can all take time out this weekend to think about those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for us all in this country and the selfless actions they performed in protecting our freedoms.