Remembering Those Who Lost Their Lives during Times of Conflict
Dennis AuBuchon
May 29, 2009
There is much activity surrounding Memorial Day and the activities that take place. While many articles may be written at this time of year it is my intention to make this one different. To start I wish to bring to the front that Memorial Day while it is a day of remembrance it should also be a day to not forget those who are currently serving and putting their lives on the line for us.
Our freedoms would not still exist today were it not for the dedicated individuals who have served and are serving us in all of the military branches. I wish to honor them for their dedication with this article. It is hard for families to say good-by while those they love leave to serve in foreign lands and it is also hard for those leaving their families to do so. The many privileges and rights we have as individuals are worth fighting for and many have done so and made the ultimate sacrifice.
This time of year we honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defending the freedoms we enjoy. Many have also made this time to remember those relatives who have passed by visiting their graves. It is important to honor all veterans and the sacrifices they make and have made in defending our way of life. I have great respect for those who have made the decision to serve our country by enlisting in the military. Decisions of this nature are not easy for some while for others it is natural as they are following in the footsteps of their families who have served or are serving. The recognition of the sacrifices our military has made can be seen in the many ceremonies throughout our country. It should also be a day where we recognize those now serving our country to keep us safe from those who wish to harm us.
Another fact of war or conflicts that is often overlooked is the many civilians who are killed. These individuals should also be remembered at this time of year. Civilian causalities are never acceptable. Our enemies many times use civilians as shields and when civilians die they exploit the fact that we have killed innocent civilians and the numbers in some respects are exaggerated.
This fact does not tell the whole story. Exploiting the death of civilians by our enemies never includes the conditions or situation that our enemies created. Loss of civilian lives during the present and past conflicts should also be remembered as they were in the wrong place at the wrong time in many instances. Some had no way of escaping to prevent their lives being lost. In this respect civilian causalities should also be remembered.
We are a nation of multi-national origins and those who have chosen to come to this country know the importance of the freedoms we enjoy. While Memorial Day is a time to remember it should also be a time where we come together as a nation to understand what this day represents. It represents the sacrifices many have made but it should also focus on why those sacrifices were made. Our country has a rich heritage and Memorial Day is an example of that heritage. We entered many conflicts some of which was not of our own choosing as they were a response to attacks upon our homeland. We as a country have a history of not backing down from a fight when our security as a nation is threatened for if we do we become weaker in the eyes of our enemies. Those who stepped up to the plate to defend the freedoms we enjoy deserve to be recognized for that dedication on a daily basis. We are not the only nation who has made sacrifices. During the many conflicts in which we as a nation have been involved other countries and their troops also made sacrifices. Some even fought side by side with our soldiers in defending not only our freedom but theirs as well.
In closing this article let us remember those who have fought in all the conflicts in which this country has been involved. This includes not only the ones who made the ultimate sacrifice but also those who lived to return to their families and friends. We must also not forget those who are currently serving in foreign lands and conflicts not knowing if they will return to their families. Individuals who choose to dedicate their lives in serving their country deserve our respect and support all the time. We as a nation must provide all the necessary equipment and training necessary to keep them safe. Congress has the responsibility to make sure this happens and we have a responsibility to elect those that will support our troops. Sometimes there can be disagreements in what is needed and this is part of the process but the disagreements must not imply they do not support our troops. This impression is sometimes projected and needs to be corrected through comments when this occurs. It is up to us to determine if the explanation is viable.
While Memorial Day is only a single day where we remember all troops who made the ultimate sacrifice there are also other days which are recognized throughout the year. One of these is June 6 (D-Day) when the Allies landed at Normandy. This is only another example of the sacrifices this country and our troops have made. It is important for all of us to give thanks to those now serving and to those families who have lost loved ones in fighting for the freedoms we enjoy. Sometimes we take these freedoms for granted until issues surface which reinforce the privileges we have. Let us never forget the fallen soldiers and those now serving.
Our freedoms would not still exist today were it not for the dedicated individuals who have served and are serving us in all of the military branches. I wish to honor them for their dedication with this article. It is hard for families to say good-by while those they love leave to serve in foreign lands and it is also hard for those leaving their families to do so. The many privileges and rights we have as individuals are worth fighting for and many have done so and made the ultimate sacrifice.
This time of year we honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defending the freedoms we enjoy. Many have also made this time to remember those relatives who have passed by visiting their graves. It is important to honor all veterans and the sacrifices they make and have made in defending our way of life. I have great respect for those who have made the decision to serve our country by enlisting in the military. Decisions of this nature are not easy for some while for others it is natural as they are following in the footsteps of their families who have served or are serving. The recognition of the sacrifices our military has made can be seen in the many ceremonies throughout our country. It should also be a day where we recognize those now serving our country to keep us safe from those who wish to harm us.
Another fact of war or conflicts that is often overlooked is the many civilians who are killed. These individuals should also be remembered at this time of year. Civilian causalities are never acceptable. Our enemies many times use civilians as shields and when civilians die they exploit the fact that we have killed innocent civilians and the numbers in some respects are exaggerated.
This fact does not tell the whole story. Exploiting the death of civilians by our enemies never includes the conditions or situation that our enemies created. Loss of civilian lives during the present and past conflicts should also be remembered as they were in the wrong place at the wrong time in many instances. Some had no way of escaping to prevent their lives being lost. In this respect civilian causalities should also be remembered.
We are a nation of multi-national origins and those who have chosen to come to this country know the importance of the freedoms we enjoy. While Memorial Day is a time to remember it should also be a time where we come together as a nation to understand what this day represents. It represents the sacrifices many have made but it should also focus on why those sacrifices were made. Our country has a rich heritage and Memorial Day is an example of that heritage. We entered many conflicts some of which was not of our own choosing as they were a response to attacks upon our homeland. We as a country have a history of not backing down from a fight when our security as a nation is threatened for if we do we become weaker in the eyes of our enemies. Those who stepped up to the plate to defend the freedoms we enjoy deserve to be recognized for that dedication on a daily basis. We are not the only nation who has made sacrifices. During the many conflicts in which we as a nation have been involved other countries and their troops also made sacrifices. Some even fought side by side with our soldiers in defending not only our freedom but theirs as well.
In closing this article let us remember those who have fought in all the conflicts in which this country has been involved. This includes not only the ones who made the ultimate sacrifice but also those who lived to return to their families and friends. We must also not forget those who are currently serving in foreign lands and conflicts not knowing if they will return to their families. Individuals who choose to dedicate their lives in serving their country deserve our respect and support all the time. We as a nation must provide all the necessary equipment and training necessary to keep them safe. Congress has the responsibility to make sure this happens and we have a responsibility to elect those that will support our troops. Sometimes there can be disagreements in what is needed and this is part of the process but the disagreements must not imply they do not support our troops. This impression is sometimes projected and needs to be corrected through comments when this occurs. It is up to us to determine if the explanation is viable.
While Memorial Day is only a single day where we remember all troops who made the ultimate sacrifice there are also other days which are recognized throughout the year. One of these is June 6 (D-Day) when the Allies landed at Normandy. This is only another example of the sacrifices this country and our troops have made. It is important for all of us to give thanks to those now serving and to those families who have lost loved ones in fighting for the freedoms we enjoy. Sometimes we take these freedoms for granted until issues surface which reinforce the privileges we have. Let us never forget the fallen soldiers and those now serving.
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