Memorial Day 2008

I weep for the Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen
Who have died in service of their country.
I weep for the lives cut short by another man’s bullet or bomb.
I weep for those who have been killed because of another man's folly.

While I weep for those who rescued the world
Those who fought in World War II and did survive to very old age,
I also celebrate their courage and sacrifice and the lives they led in the
years that followed.

I weep also because Patriotsm seems to be dying.
People no longer place their hand over their heart upon hearing the
National Anthem.
It's just a perfunctory item to get out of the way before the ball game.

I especially weep for all my fellow Navy men and women.
There are no little U.S. flags nor perfectly aligned white headstones
to mark at sea the final resting place of those who gave all
for their nation's freedom.