Memorial Day 2023 - Part 1 (Updated from 5/8/2014)

Soldier's Lament

"It is the soldier, not the reporter,
Who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the soldier, not the poet,
Who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the soldier, not the campus organizer,
Who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.
It is the soldier,
Who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protestor to burn the flag."

Father Denis Edward O'Brien, USMC

On Memorial Day, May 29, will you remember to honor the day commemorating personal sacrifice in the service of others?  Memorial Day has always been meaningful to my family because we are patriots.  We have a proud military heritage, even my daughter who, though opting for a career as a mother, married a Marine, a proud soldier.  

As for me, a patriot and a retired military man, I find my views on Memorial Day are changing.  I think this change is a good thing for me.  Some will choose to take the day off without a thought for the meaning of the day, other than they don't have to work and there is a cooler of beer and a barbecue somewhere.  These would be the same people who celebrate Christmas by giving gifts without thought one for the gift of Jesus Christ.  Their thoughtless lives are required, though, because they give much meaning to the thoughtful lives of others.  One cannot exist without the other, just as peace cannot exist without agitation, distress, and conflict.  Why is this?  Balance in the universe?  Or, is it because we are human?  As humans, we found a need to define peace and, in doing so, we built upon our reality.  Built upon it, or diminished it?  I wonder.

We are what we are.  We are because of those that have gone before.  Right or wrong, we owe our existence and our way of life to those that sacrificed everything on the field of battle.  We enjoy a tenuous peace that is ever-balanced on the edge of a shaking blade.  We are always a breath away from another conflict; a breath away from protecting our freedom from another threat, or protecting those that cannot protect themselves.  This is the unfortunate reality we have inevitably created for ourselves as humans because, well, we are humans.  It is what we do; it is what we have always done.

We, as Americans, are part of the "free world."  We are the Irish, the British, the Australians, the Germans, and, now the brave Ukrainians that fight for their very existence.  We are NATO and a myriad of other mutual defense agreements which attempt to deter aggression throughout our world.  We donate people, statesmen, politicians, philosophers, scientists, and soldiers to assist in the daunting task.   We donate money, equipment, supplies, medicine, and relief to back up our words with actions.  

We fight, and we die, all for the cause of a tenuous peace. 

We do this because we are humans dealing with the reality of other humans that rarely see eye to eye on any important issues.  We do this because history has taught us that nature requires sacrifice to ensure survival.  We do this because we have outgrown our planet and, like spoiled children, we need to learn to get along with each other.  Sometimes children need to be spanked.  This punishment ensures our survival.  

I believe we must wage war because it is the only way God can impress upon his creation the futility of war.  If a child burns their fingers on a hot stove, the child eventually learns not to touch it.  That, or there is something psychologically wrong with the child.  I say this to remind us that God has a way of thinning the herd by weeding out the sick, the weak, and the infirm.  Are we really too mentally crippled to understand the futility of war?  Again, I wonder.

This Memorial Day I will reflect on those dead and wounded that have given all for the cause of peace and freedom.  I will, also, reflect on why we continuously give our all in these exercises of futility.  I will pray for a continuation of tenuous peace... because you take what you can get.  I will pray for those "first responders" who risk their lives in selfless service to others.  I will pray that we learn living together is much easier, more gratifying, and more constructive than living apart.  And, I will pray for tolerance, for only through tolerance will we ever have a chance to work on world peace.

I will pray for all of this and more, and I will remember... we are only human.  God help us.

"Father, You have blessed our country with great bounty.

For this, we are thankful.

Lord, You have always imbued Your chosen ones with bravery and a willingness to serve.

For this, we thank You.

Father, You have blessed this nation with an indomitable spirit and determination to remain free.

For this, we are thankful.

Lord, we pray You'll help us always be grateful for the sacrifices that have been made to keep the U.S.A. the land of the free. May it always remain so. Amen."

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch - it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either view any more right or wrong than the other. Opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form their own opinions if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider an alternate viewpoint.

I fervently hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion, in an arena of mutual respect, concerning those opinions offered. After over twenty years of military intelligence, I believe that engaging each other in this manner, and in this arena, is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience... and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. Following his service career, he spent 17 years working with the premier and world-renowned Western Institutional Review Board, helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research. He also served 8 years on the Board of Directors for the Angela J. Bowen Foundation.

Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As a weapon for his war on intolerance... he chose the pen. He wages his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's personal, spiritual path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteered as the lead chaplain at a regional medical center. 

Feel free to contact Pastor Tony at: tolerantpastor@gmail.com