When I get emails forwarded to me from family and friends warning about some email virus or making some political point about immigration, I always check Snopes. Many turn out to be false, like the two I linked above which I've gotten in the last couple months from well meaning family or friends.
But every once in a while I get one that is true.
My dad forwarded one today about a man from Maine who has donated 5,000 christmas wreaths to the Arlington National Cemetery every year since 1992. I checked, it's true. Not only is it true, there's more to the story that the simple email. This man has done this every year, buying 5,000 wreaths, driving them down with volunteers and laying them. And he has now started a project, Wreaths Across America, to do the same at other State and National Cemeteries and Veterans monuments.
As someone who spent 8 years in the Reserves, including just bout 2 years active duty and being called up for actions in Korea and Desert storm (and on call for Bosnia), I have an _inkling_ of the sacrifice men and women make for us. These men and women made the ultimate sacrifice and for that I will remember them.
We can be against some wars (as I was and am against the Iraq war), for some (as I was for Afghanistan), or perhaps some of us are against all wars.
No matter, these men and women have sacrificed in our name. They will get my respect and reverence as will their mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, children, friends and all that sacrificed with them.
I think this is a nice way to remember them and to let their loved know we do and will.
Comments (2)
A nice sentiment, but what about all the servicepeople who are not Christian and do not celebrate Christmas? This hardly seems respectful to them. To me, this seems to be more evidence that the US is a Christian nation and the rest of us are ignored and invisible. This does not give me warm fuzzies.
Comment #89658 on December 19, 2007 12:54 PM |
Funny you write that Deb. I thought of that very thing after I posted this.
I've been doing some research to see if they are selective on which graves they put it on and if they use something else for the Jewish, Pagan, Atheist, etc. servicemen.
I can't find anything.
It wouldn't be too difficult I would think. Usually the grave markers (I believe) have their religion marked (as do our dog tags).
And the more I think about it, the more I'd like to see something similar, and more broad, done on Veterans Day.
Your point is taken!
Comment #89679 on December 19, 2007 1:26 PM |