Eternal Sacrifice...

Honoring Memorial Day Amidst a Fading Silhouette of Unity

Memorial Day 2023 - Original art by Sam Kephart using prompts with Craiyon.com

These are the words General James A. Garfield spoke at Arlington Cemetery on May 30, 1868:

“I am oppressed with a sense of the impropriety of uttering words on this occasion. If silence is ever golden, it must be here, beside the graves of fifteen thousand men, whose lives were more significant than speech, and whose death was a poem, the music of which can never be sung. With words, we make promises, plight faith, and praise virtue. Promises may not be kept, plighted faith may be broken, and vaunted virtue be only the cunning mask of vice. We do not know one promise these men made, one pledge they gave, one word they spoke: but we do know they summed up and perfected, by one supreme act, the highest virtues of men and citizens. For love of country, they accepted death, and thus resolved all doubts, and made immortal their patriotism and their virtue.”

Dear Readers-

On this Memorial Day, a somber wave of reverence should sweep across our nation, carrying with it the weight of sacrifice and the echoes of valor.

It’s a day when we ought to stand united, grateful for the freedoms bestowed upon us by the brave men and women who selflessly gave their lives in service to our great nation.

Imagine, if you will, a hushed realm where the fallen heroes gather, their ethereal forms huddled together in solemn unity. Their spirits, draped in patriotism, radiate an iridescent light that pierces the darkness of our troubled times. Like intangible sentinels, they continue to watch over us, urging us to remember the magnitude of their sacrifice and the sanctity of the ideals they fought to defend.

Through that ethereal veil, we catch glimpses of their valiant deeds etched upon our collective memory. We witness the courage of the soldiers storming enemy lines, their resolute hearts undeterred by the chaos of battle. We see the sailors navigating treacherous waters, their eyes fixed on the horizon, ever-ready to defend our shores. We hear the soaring wings of the airmen, bravely scaling the heavens… protecting our skies with unwavering determination.

As we honor their memory today, we find ourselves at a crossroads - one where our nation grapples with economic uncertainty, a deep cultural divide, and many feckless leaders.

Yet, within the depths of our souls, we know the spirit of unity and resilience, imbibed within the very fabric of America, can transcend these challenges. It’s in our darkest moments that the luminosity of our nation's heroes shines the brightest and inspires hope… reminding us of the strength that inherently lies within us all.

Today, let us renew our commitment to one another and to the ideals that have defined America. Let’s rise above the discord that seeks to divide us and, instead, strive for understanding and empathy. For in the reflection of those ghostly images, we’re reminded that the sacrifices made were not in vain, but rather to secure a future where freedom, justice, and unity prevail.

As we reflect in reverence and gratitude for the huge sacrifices made by those who have died in the service of our country, may the echoes of their courage resonate throughout the corridors of time.

Let’s honor their memory not just through words, but through actions that uplift one another and embody the spirit of patriotism that beats within each American heart.

Today, as we stand in the presence of those ghostly figures, let us remember.

Let us not forget their sacrifice, their valor, and their unwavering love for a nation that holds the promise of a brighter tomorrow. In their honor, let us march forward, hand-in-hand, ensuring their legacy lives on, for they are the guardians of our freedom, forever etched in the tapestry of our nation's history.

God bless those who have fallen… and God bless the United States of America.

With heartfelt reverence,

Samuel R. Kephart

P.S. For all of you who are veterans, thank you for your service.