700. Memorial Day
I love this country. I was born here and I am blessed because of it. Many want to come here because of the freedoms and liberty we enjoy. The opportunity to follow our dreams. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It is unique to us.
It has been costly, this freedom. Our liberties are at risk with every new generation. They are not guaranteed except by the willingness to defend them. To fight for them and for some to die for them. This day is one set aside to remember those who died. Those who gave up life so their loved ones, their family, perhaps their children could continue in freedom. Collectively we all benefit from their sacrifice and I want to share some thoughts about us as Americans.
You can travel to Japan and buy a home, set up housekeeping, learn the language and after 20 years, you still won’t be Japanese. You can go to Germany and do the same but you won’t become a German by doing so. France, Italy, Poland, Russia. They are all possible to travel to and even live there but if you come to America, set up housekeeping, get a job and desire to be an American, you can become one. All you need do it desire it and follow the prescribed path and you become an American. I have several friends who have done this and they are proud of the achievement and proud to be called an American.
When I think of my country I think about a people who didn’t want to go to war in 1941 but were forced to and go to war is what we did. To free people from the tyranny of the Nazi’s and the Japanese imperial desires. To battle on two fronts at the same time and to battle to win. We set people free. I think we still desire to carry freedom to the world and to battle if necessary to the death for that freedom. Politics aside, because that muddies up what the soldier wants, we will fight for freedom. Ours and for others if they want it.
As we reflect on this Memorial Day, I want to share some history and a song we all know but may not know the origin of.
It will move you to tears and quiet you inside to reflect on the sacrifice that has been made for you. If you live in the United States of America, someone died for you to be able to be free.
We are free to be unique. To speak our mind (although that is being challenged daily now), to work, to start a business, to have a job if you want (you may have to want to really badly but I believe there is work to do). To get an education, to change your mind about your career. Some places you cannot be what you want to be, ever. I have been a painter, worked selling paint and wall paper, worked on bowling pin setters, worked on a hog farm. worked in electronics repair, engineering, been a VP of technology and now I own a business that helps folks buy and sell real estate. No one made me do any of those things, no one stopped me from doing those things. It was my choice and my family who supported me in those choices. That simply is not the case in much of the world.
My heritage before America comes from Scotland. I am not Scottish American. I was born here and have never been to Scotland but hope to travel there someday. All that said, I love hearing bagpipes play Amazing Grace. I identify with that sound as Scottish. It has a history and is a tradition I have experienced. Recently at the memorial for a Marine I wish I had gotten to know and even at Arlington National Cemetery after 9/11. I rode to Rolling Thunder in 2002. I rode with friends and bikers the 600 miles to be able to participate in the event. We parked in the Pentagon parking lot on that Sunday before Memorial day to prepare for the ride to the Wall and I could see the scars still evident in the attack on 9/11. It was the largest gathering ever for Rolling Thunder and I was blessed to be part of it.
During that trip and two previous trips I was able to stand at the Wall and see the names of those who died in Vietnam. To hear the stories from their friends, to be introduced to someone whose name is on the wall is a moving experience. I think of them as a young man since they did not get to grow old. I think of them as friends as I am introduced to them by their friends and I get to cry and pray with those still hurting about the loss and sacrifice.
One day as I sat near the Wall I heard the familiar sound of bagpipes starting and the piper played Amazing Grace. It sounded like this.
I’ve gotten to say much of what I wanted to here but there is one last clip I want to share again.
I shared this after I heard Darden Smith in a house concert. He talked about writing songs with soldiers and this clip is a TED talk he did about writing Angel Flight. It’s about the flight to carry a fallen soldier home. This is a bit long for most of us today but it’s well worth the time. He goes into a bit of his journey and I loved that concert more than most. Real, raw and true.
If you really don’t have time to listen to the whole thing I am sorry but I understand. Here is the song by itself and I hope you listen.
Remember those who made it possible for me to write this and you to read it. Soldiers who sacrificed everything for Freedom.
Thanks for listening,
Jerry Robertson
PS if you wondered about the number 700 in the title, this is my 700th article on this blog. Not a big deal but it was a milestone I wanted to make note of.