Memorial Day Tribute 2008
Ken Hughes
May 28, 2008
"These are the times that try mens sloes. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will in this crises shrink from the service of [their] country, but [those] that stand for it now deserves the love and thanks of all men and women".....Thomas Pain
Thomas Pain wrote these words December 19, 1776 to inspire Colonialist to action.
These are his exact words aside from changing [two words] to make them more compatible with todays gender correctness.
Unlike many other countries America has a tradition of the citizen soldier, men and women who are available at a moments notice to drop what they're doing and take up arms or shovels as needed to go to the rescue / aid of those in peril. From the shores of Tripoli to the streets of Baghdad the American citizen soldier has willingly meet the challenges of the times. I have always attributed this willingness to volunteer for military service because Americans are a mixed breed society, no one knows when they may be called on to defend their ancestral lands. Deep down Americans have an affinity for all people, Beyond that Americans have a deep regard for peoples individual rights, so much so some of our people are willing to sacrifice limb and life to protect it.
Each year the nation is privilege to share in tributes to those military persons past and present who answered the call to serve of their government. The most spectacular ceremony is held at Arlington National Cemetery where the nations heroes are put to rest.
It's a unique thing Arlington Cometary is located on the grounds of the Robert E. Lee Plantation. General Lee as everyone knows was the enemy of the Union in Americas Civil War. He must have taken solace that in a way he was able to give back to those men he was responsible for their demise.
America has not always chose its battles well, This can be attributed to our system of government. There are 535 congress persons, a president, a million or so bureaucrats and 300 million citizens who all have a say in how wars and negations are conducted.
Emotions are always mixed between those in favor of war and those opposed, its human nature.
America is the 800 pound gorilla the rest of the world wants to keep hidden in the jungle and only brought out when the barbarians are at the gates of the city. By contrast most Americans are very proud of our history of saving the world when it was incapable of saving its self. From the sandy beaches of the Pacific to the rocky cliffs of France the American military has willing risk limb and life to save things and people they would never see a second time. America is a combative nation but it is not a barbaric nation.
With very few exceptions America has never annexed any country they've fought in. Quite the contrary they usually refinanced and assisted in rebuilding those nations.
Thomas Pain was without a doubt a warmonger, Today he would be as unpopular as George Bush. For those of us who pay attention to history we have a great respect for Thomas Pain and his contribution to the creation of America. In 1776 he was a traitor to the Crown with a price on his head. Today he's quoted and held in reverence. I for one think George Bush will be respected by history, he gave 50 million Muslims the opportunity to become self governing now it's up to them.
That's what Memorial day is about, to pay tribute to the Thomas Pains and all those who who followed willing to answer the call of their country. We are free because men and women were / are willing to put their lives on the line to keep us free. It's a debt we can never repay we can only recognize and pay homage to their sacrifices.
Thomas Pain wrote these words December 19, 1776 to inspire Colonialist to action.
These are his exact words aside from changing [two words] to make them more compatible with todays gender correctness.
Unlike many other countries America has a tradition of the citizen soldier, men and women who are available at a moments notice to drop what they're doing and take up arms or shovels as needed to go to the rescue / aid of those in peril. From the shores of Tripoli to the streets of Baghdad the American citizen soldier has willingly meet the challenges of the times. I have always attributed this willingness to volunteer for military service because Americans are a mixed breed society, no one knows when they may be called on to defend their ancestral lands. Deep down Americans have an affinity for all people, Beyond that Americans have a deep regard for peoples individual rights, so much so some of our people are willing to sacrifice limb and life to protect it.
Each year the nation is privilege to share in tributes to those military persons past and present who answered the call to serve of their government. The most spectacular ceremony is held at Arlington National Cemetery where the nations heroes are put to rest.
It's a unique thing Arlington Cometary is located on the grounds of the Robert E. Lee Plantation. General Lee as everyone knows was the enemy of the Union in Americas Civil War. He must have taken solace that in a way he was able to give back to those men he was responsible for their demise.
America has not always chose its battles well, This can be attributed to our system of government. There are 535 congress persons, a president, a million or so bureaucrats and 300 million citizens who all have a say in how wars and negations are conducted.
Emotions are always mixed between those in favor of war and those opposed, its human nature.
America is the 800 pound gorilla the rest of the world wants to keep hidden in the jungle and only brought out when the barbarians are at the gates of the city. By contrast most Americans are very proud of our history of saving the world when it was incapable of saving its self. From the sandy beaches of the Pacific to the rocky cliffs of France the American military has willing risk limb and life to save things and people they would never see a second time. America is a combative nation but it is not a barbaric nation.
With very few exceptions America has never annexed any country they've fought in. Quite the contrary they usually refinanced and assisted in rebuilding those nations.
Thomas Pain was without a doubt a warmonger, Today he would be as unpopular as George Bush. For those of us who pay attention to history we have a great respect for Thomas Pain and his contribution to the creation of America. In 1776 he was a traitor to the Crown with a price on his head. Today he's quoted and held in reverence. I for one think George Bush will be respected by history, he gave 50 million Muslims the opportunity to become self governing now it's up to them.
That's what Memorial day is about, to pay tribute to the Thomas Pains and all those who who followed willing to answer the call of their country. We are free because men and women were / are willing to put their lives on the line to keep us free. It's a debt we can never repay we can only recognize and pay homage to their sacrifices.
Print
Email
