We spent the drizzly morning at the Strasburg Memorial Day parade. The bands did not show up, in order to protect the instruments from rain.
As a pacifist, I generally find it difficult to reconcile my ideals with the pageantry and honor of the traditional Memorial Day events. But it’s often moving, due to the gravity of the day.
Last year we got to know some people at the picnic we attend, a husband and wife, and their kids. This year they were invited to be the keynote speakers.
Here are some photos from the day, and the speeches, which they generously shared with me.
Audrey
Thank you so much for having me and my family here today to share in this special tradition.
Your support, and the support of this great nation, is the source of my motivation on cloudy days.
Almost 20 years ago, I made a life-changing decision to join the united states army, hands-down, the best army in the world!
I remember telling my family and friends, who all had varying opinions and mixed emotions: are you sure? Don’t you want to go to college a little longer? What if you have to go to war?
I took all of these questions into consideration, and I knew my final decision would not make everyone happy.
Why couldn’t they understand that I’m doing this for them too?
I was hesitant, of course. The weight of possibly laying down my life for people I didn’t even know was not lost on me, but ultimately, I felt a pull.
Something deep inside was saying “this is what i need to do”.
It felt like an opportunity. A chance to travel, make friends, and to prove to my family, and myself, that I’m strong enough. That I can do this.
At first, I think my recruiter oversold the “travel” part, because quickly after graduation I was deployed for a year to Afghanistan. I mean, it’s exotic, i suppose, but it’s no disney cruise. I, did however, make enduring friendships and I even met my husband, but the toll of conflict creates life-long scars.
Every convoy that left the gates, every “boom” that grew closer and closer, every missionI had to another post in another part of the desert, I remained on edge. Would this be the last time I see them? Will I get to talk to my parents again? Will my daughter remember me? War is never easy, especially when loss seems inevitable.
My military journey feels like a lifetime and a snap of my fingers all at once. It grew from a seed, planted in adolescence, that represented loyalty, discipline, and love of country. That foundation is still there, and I have grown to incorporate these values, and many more, into how I nurture and support my family.
Since the day I raised my right hand and vowed to support and defend, I’ve felt that I am a part of something much bigger than my small existence. I have come to know the military as my family, a family of brothers-and-sisters-in-arms who I’ve shared some of my best memories with as well as some of my darkest moments.
Regardless of age, rank, or any opposing personal opinions between us, it is absolute heartache to experience the death of a fellow servicemember.
This day, to me, means family barbeques, beers, good food and great friends, but it ultimately means sacrifice. It represents the loss of dedicated men and women who have bled and perished for this country. Whose families have buried their loved ones and accepted a folded american flag as representation of their service.
I continue my service in honor of my family. The family I created and brought forth into this world and my family in uniform that I’ve chosen to be a part of.
My family that I would die for because I know they would do the same for me.
Thank you.
David
I would like to start by echoing my wonderful wife in appreciation for the opportunity to speak to you fine folks this morning. This is truly a cherished honor.
I enlisted in the army shortly after the 9/11 attack on the world trade center. Like many other young men and women at the time, who were inspired to take up the fight, I wanted revenge for the almost 3,000 people who perished that day. Unfortunately, I wouldn’t deploy to Afghanistan until much later in my career. Instead, found myself carrying a m249 machinegun in the iraq war. A war that, then, I did not agree with, and even less so now, but I fought, just the same because my country said “go”.
I fought in the name of america; selflessly, for the men and women to my left and right, and selfishly; I fought just to make it home.
Now, no war is fought without casualties and Iraq and Afghanistan were no different. Thousands of american men and women didn’t make it home alive. And throughout history, the dead have been callously tallied in statistics that mean to represent losses on either side, but the true cost of war is immeasurable and only known to the loved ones who live to bear the weight of sacrifice.
So, how do we honor those who have given everything so we can continue to live in freedom?
A few years ago, while I was assigned to the old guard, my company was supporting a wreath laying ceremony at the tomb of the unknown soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. We executed the mission flawlessly, promptly marched off, and returned to our company area. An hour later, our battalion commander came by and gathered us together. As this kind of visit was irregular, we expected to be reprimanded, but fortunately, he came to praise our performance and share an interaction he had just had with the visiting president from the Democratic Republic of Congo. The newly elected president, on his first trip to America, had been so impressed by the by the ceremony, he had leaned over, looked our battalion commander in the eye and said, “this is how you honor your dead warriors? I now understand the strength of your country.”
In our hometowns, we may lack the grandiose of Arlington, the echoing boom of artillery guns, and over 200 soldiers arrayed in ceremonial dress, but how do we honor our fallen warriors?
We pin a red poppy on our lapels.
We fly the flag at half-staff.
We pause for a moment when the trumpet plays taps.
We crack a beer to raise a toast.
Though it may often seem like Memorial Day is just a day off from work, it is time set aside for the remembrance of our service member’s selfless sacrifice. And on memorial day, it is our responsibility to not take for granted the opportunity those sacrifices have afforded.
So, spend time with your family, your fellow Americans. Smile, laugh, share some barbecue, celebrate the freedoms our country provides, but also, never forget.
Thank you for your time, your patriotism, and your support.