Memorial Day
... Let US Remember them All.
Those of the recent, and those of the distant past.
Patrick Henry's words on March 23, 1775:
What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so
dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains
and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others
may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!
John Paul Jones' words from the deck
of his sinking ship,
the Bonhomme Richard -
"
I
have not yet begun to fight"
"
I only regret that I have but one
life to give for my country. "
With those words we remember Captain Nathan Hale, of the
19th Connecticut Regiment of the Continental Army, hanged for
espionage. He was 21 years old.
Remember the 185 men that fought the 5000 for 13 days,
just for the right
to be free.
They were "
all put
to the sword, " at the
siege of
Alamo.
Remember the Maine (sunk in Havana Harbor, Cuba 1898)
Pray for all the
Anonymous Heroes whose Valor died unrecognized
with them on the battlefield, or in the ocean's sunless depths.
"They saved others, but themselves - they could not save"
(inscription on the Submariner's Memorial, Holy Loch, Scotland).
Listen to the stories of our senior citizens. My father, Irvin Nofsinger (1924-2003)
only talked of his experience as a Marine in Korea near
the end of his life.
While I knew of the battle at the Chosin Reservoir, only through seeing it
through my father's eyes as he lived through it, and hearing
his
stories could I
truly appreciate what it took
to be
one of the "Chosin
Few". (more)
Remember the sacrifices our parents and grandparents made to
support the troops, and support the Country during times of conflict.
Those that
were there will never forget;
Those who were not - may never know!
We
Must Never Forget the Past, or We will be giving up our Future
Thomas Irvin Nofsinger, Ph.D.
US Navy 1973-1984 (including Reserve time)
USS Jackson
SSBN634
USS Holland AS-32
15 May 2007
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