Back in the ’90s, I worked as a security officer in an Emergency Room in an inner-city Chicago hospital. Every day, I’d put on a uniform, pin a piece of tin to my shirt and stand in the gap to protect the lives, safety and property of those in my charge. I saw carnage, smelled the blood and experienced violence. Maybe, just maybe, this gives me the right to comment on the sacrifices made by those who wore a much more meaningful uniform than mine, and who stood in a much larger gap.
We have three holidays here in the US, honoring our military. Armed Forces Day, for those who are currently serving, Veterans Day, for those who served and came home, and Memorial Day, for those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
To those currently serving, a mere “Thank You” seems wholly inadequate. In a land that has known mostly peace and prosperity within its own borders for over a hundred years, the warrior spirit tends to be marginalized and forgotten. But, a debt of gratitude is owed to those of you who wade through blood and fire, so that peaceful men can live in peace.
To those who served and came home, even those who served during peacetime, your willingness to lay down your lives is not unappreciated. It is my privilege to count military veterans among my friends. Some have told me that they didn’t join up for any lofty purpose, but merely for a paycheck, or an educational opportunity, or some other selfish reason. To them, I say, don’t belittle your service. Regardless of your motives, you made the commitment that I lacked the courage to make. You too, are heroes.
To those who never came home, there are no words sufficient to honor you, beyond these; “No greater love hath a man, than to lay down his life for his friends.” The debt we owe can never be repaid. “All gave some, some gave all.” Godspeed.
This may be only tangentially related, but to the many police officers across our country, those who put on a uniform, pick up a weapon, pin a piece of tin to their shirts and stand in the gap, Your service is honored as well.
My heartfelt thanks to all of America’s warriors, past, present and future, regardless of your uniform.
One reply on “Memorial Day”
Eloquently said. I couldn’t agree more.