To The Fallen Heroes - Memorial Day 2007


U.S. Cemetery - Normandy

U.S.S. Arizona Memorial
In 1863, Abraham Lincoln spoke for the ages about the brave men on one battlefield, Gettysburg. His words clearly ring true for all the brave Americans lost in all the battles of freedom. Here are the last three sentences in The Gettysburg Address.

The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

Lincoln's words directly spoke of the heroes of Gettysburg, yet they indirectly apply to the fallen Americans of all battles since. From the Battle of San Juan Hill to Iwo Jima, from the Battle of the Marne to Normandy, from Tora Bora to Anbar Province, Americans have given their last full measures of devotion.

Rest in peace. America remembers.