Requiem for a Thought

Today is Memorial Day

Today is the day that America marks those who died in military service to the nation. Unfortunately, for many of us who happen to be alive, it's just a day off from work.

Previously, I've posted on the numbers of American soldiers, sailors and airmen, who have died so that we can have this day off, so we can read blogs on the internet, so we can buy that shirt at the mall at 30% off today, etc. But today I'd like to reflect on one battle of one war in which America fought.

On September 17, 1862, Gen. Robert E. Lee attempted to invade the North in Maryland. Twenty-three thousand men died in 11 hours. That's nearly 2,000 men per hour; 33 men every minute. Interestingly, that's 4 times the number of Americans who died in the initial D-Day invasion.

Few people remember this battle, but it remains the single bloodiest day in American history. In many historians' eyes, it cemented the fate of the South, and it directly led to Pres. Lincoln signing the Emancipation Proclamation. It was also the first battlefield ever photographed in America without the casualties having first been removed. The images are grisly even today.

The Roman orator, Cicero, said that to be ignorant of what happend before you were born, is to forever remain a child. Let us never forget, and never cease trying to remember that far braver, stronger, and better men and women have come and died before us so that we can live in peace.

To fallen soldiers let us sing
where no rockets fly nor bullets wing
Our broken brothers let us bring
to the mansions of the Lord

No more bleeding no more fight
No prayers pleading through the night
just divine embrace, eternal light
in the mansions of the Lord

Where no mothers cry and no children weep
We will stand and guard tho the angels sleep
All through the ages safely keep the mansions of the Lord