By the end of the movie, both of us had tears running down our faces. I love this movie, and the strong emotions of gratitude it gives me. I think of my own Grandpa, who spent WWII island hopping in the Pacific, and what he and those who were with him must have experienced. I think of the men who must have known that there was more than a good chance they would die when the front gates dropped on those personnel carrier watercraft on D-Day. I love those men and women who sacrificed so much to help protect the entire world, and I don't think that is overstating their contribution in the least. Though Veteran's Day is for more than just WWII, and I feel a debt of gratitude to all veteran's, I am going to more specifcally talk about that time.
I have had the opportunity to see Pearl Harbor, and go out to the Arizona Memorial. It was, without a doubt, the highlight of my trip to Hawaii. I have visited the National Memorial Cemetary of the Pacific, and felt the incredible spirit of that massive cemetary in Hawaii as well. On a statue at that cemetary is a portion of a letter written by Abraham Lincoln. It is one of the most profoundly moving statements that I have ever read. I will copy his letter here in its entirety, and bold the portion found at the cemetary.
Dear Madam,
I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle.
I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save.
I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.
Yours, very sincerely and respectfully,
A. Lincoln
One of the reasons that I love the movie Saving Private Ryan so much, is that I have an incredible desire that these sacrifices not be forgotten. And I don't mean actually wiped from history. Kids will always read about D-Day and WWII in their history books. I feel, however, that the further we move from the society of those who lived through this time, the easier it is to intellectualize the entire thing. To forget the cost on a more personal level. To truly feel the sorrow for the horror and loss that accompanied that time. Though I am quite sure that there are no WWII vets who actually read this, I write this post in honor of them. I hope that I can personally remember the importance of their sacrifice, and the obligation that I have to live so that it wasn't in vain.
3 comments:
Amen. We have the blessing of living in the safety, peace, and freedom of the greatest nation ever to exist. But freedom isn't free. Far too often discussions of matters military get mired in politics. Hopefully we can all agree at least that we are profoundly grateful for their service.
I am now too old to be drafted, and have absolutely no desire to volunteer for the military. I don't comprehend what motivates these amazing young people to do it. I thank God for them.
Amen
My sense of gratitude and awe for those who fought in WWII was renewed by seeing Saving Private Ryan.
My father is a Vietnam Veteran. I don't know very much about his time in Vietnam, however, I do know alittle about his motives and I believe all soilders who so willingly lay down their lives for others. They are committed to the idea of liberty. They are willing to die to bring liberty to others. My father is not afraid of anything, or so I thought. I recently learned that while in Vietnam he was afraid. Not of the things most of us would be afraid of, but of not completing his mission, of letting people down and allowing harm to come to those he swore to protect.
I love singing the National Anthem. I get very emotional. I look at the flag and sing the words and always think about the lives that were laid down in my behalf. The men and women who selflessly gave all for my comfort and my freedom.
Freedom is never free. There is always a price to be paid. I am greatful to those with the courage and strength who paid it.
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