Special Edition: Memorial Day

                                                           




 Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty. -John F. Kennedy                                                              

                                       

                           

                                            







The story of America's quest for freedom is inscribed on her history in the blood of her patriots.
Randy Vader 

Americans across this nation and citizens located around the world will pause throughout the day to observe Memorial Day. Since its first official observation on 5 May, 1868, when it was called Declaration Day, it has been a day of remembrance for those who sacrificed and died in our nation’s service. And while it was originally dedicated to honor Civil War soldiers, we know it today as a celebration in memory of all who have fought for and defended our right to freedom.  In 1968 the observation of this day was established to be the last Monday in May. Today it remains a time of observation to honor and to respect those who fought to protect the liberties that our Founding Fathers proclaimed with certainty in the Declaration of Independence and that were thoughtfully and carefully framed in the Constitution of the United States. In his proclamation to set aside this day in 1868, General Logan instructed there to be thoughts to

“…cherish tenderly the memories of our heroic dead who made their breast a barricadebetween our country and its foes”.

To those who died securing peace and freedom; To those who served in conflict to protect our land, and sacrificed their dreams of the day to preserve the hope of our nation keeping America the land of the free for over two centuries we owe our thanks and our honor. It is important to not only recognize their service but to respect their devotion to duty and to ensure that the purpose for which they fought will never be forgotten.



   The dead soldier's silence sings our national anthem. -Rev. Aaron Kilbourn 

THE BRAVERY OF RICHARD KIRTLAND

Richard Kirtland was a sergeant in the Second Regiment of South Carolina Volunteers. The day after the great battle of Fredericksburg, Kershaw's brigade occupied the road at the foot of Marye's Hill.  One hundred and fifty yards in front of the road, on the other side of a stone wall, lay Sykes's division of the United States Army. Between these troops and Kershaw's command a skirmish fight was continued through the entire day. The ground between the lines was literally covered with dead and dying Federal soldiers. 

All day long the wounded were calling, "Water! water! water!" In the afternoon, Sergeant Kirtland, a Confederate soldier, went to the headquarters of General Kershaw, and said with deep emotion: "General, all through last night and to-day - I have been hearing those poor wounded Federal soldiers out there cry for water. Let me go and give them some."

"Don't you know," replied the general, "that you would get a bullet through you the moment you stepped over the wall?"

"Yes, sir," said the sergeant - "but if you will let me go I am willing to try it."
The general reflected a minute, then answered: "Kirtland, I ought not to allow you to take this risk, but the spirit that moves you is so noble I cannot refuse. Go, and may God protect you!"

In the face of almost certain death the sergeant climbed the wall, watched with anxiety by the soldiers of his army. Under the curious gaze of his foes, and exposed to their fire, he dropped to the ground and hastened on his errand of mercy. Unharmed, untouched, he reached the nearest sufferer. He knelt beside him, tenderly raised his drooping head, rested it gently on his breast, and poured the cooling life-giving water down the parched throat. This done he laid him carefully down, placed the soldier's knapsack under his head, straightened his broken limbs, spread his coat over him, replaced the empty canteen with a full one, then turned to another sufferer.
By this time his conduct was understood by friend and foe alike and the firing ceased on both sides.

For an hour and a half did he pursue his noble mission, until he had relieved the wounded on all parts of the battlefield. Then he returned to his post uninjured.

Surely such a noble deed is worthy of the admiration of men and angels.


                                      


                                                                                 Who kept the faith and fought the fight; The glory theirs, the duty ours. -Wallace Bruce

In his speech at Gettysburg, Abraham Lincoln’s words focused on the loss of life during the Civil War and the higher cause for which the lives were given, but they ring true as a reminder for today... that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion…that this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people….should not perish from this earth.

Lincoln’s charge was to ensure that the cause to which each soldier gave their life would not be lost, and that this Union, which he himself had given an oath to preserve, protect and defend, would grow ever stronger. The DDay invasion claimed the lives of many American and other Allied fighting forces. A memorial at the American Cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach contains this inscription:

These Endured All And Gave All That Justice Among Nations Might Prevail and That Mankind Might Enjoy Freedom and Inherit Peace.