Memorial Speech May 2023
Memorial Day is a reflection of our history – these monuments represent the wars that we fought for democracy as well as the peace we want to preserve. Yet, these names here reflect our diversity, including men and women from all races and creeds with different faiths but one common goal: defend our freedom. This site reflects our character, and I want to thank the caretakers for watching over these monuments while preserving this sacred place.
According to Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs data, at least 1.2 million people have died fighting for America during its wars, dating back to the American Revolution.
I wrote this on October 16, 2018, in my journal:
After watching the movie Collateral Beauty, I found a new way of looking at death.
In the movie, a successful New York advertising executive (Will Smith) suffers a great tragedy and retreats from life. While his concerned friends try desperately to reconnect with him, he seeks answers from the universe by writing letters to Love, Time, and Death. When his notes bring unexpected personal responses, he understands how the deepest loss can reveal moments of meaning and beauty.
Therefore, I begin looking for the secondary beauty of death instead of the face value. Remember, for any seed to germinate, it must undergo a metamorphosis; it must terminate to move from one state to another. So instead of looking at the processes of death from only one perspective, one needs to recognize the totality of the death process from a metamorphosis perspective. Remember, no two substances can occupy the same space in the universe, so death allows a substance to move from one space to another while ensuring that life continues. Without death, life becomes nonexistent because it lacks the method of transitioning.
Death allows the continuity that makes this world an ever-evolving transformation as the Creator intended. So, Death allows Love to multiply limitless even though Time stops for that loved one. In essence, Death is an integral part of our life's cycle, and it is through the passing of time that Love is shared and experienced. In other words, Death brings a sense of loss and appreciation for the lives once shared. Even after Death, Love continues to exist within the confines of Time.
Now Fast forward two years later, I further my thought process with a different analysis of death because I witnessed the birth of our first grandchild. The realization of death occurred to me with a new perspective. What memories of myself can I leave with my granddaughter? What can I pour into her that will serve as the passing of time that will survive even when I am gone?
Hebrews 7:7 states that the Lesser is blessed by the better. As my parents blessed me with intangible memories, I too must bless my children so this perpetual blessing will remain in the lineage of our ancestry as each becomes a person who blesses each generation after that. Accordingly, the death scenario depicts the new me, transitioning now with the mindset that I must build my legacy of memories for my grandchild to remember so she can pass it on to her future children. In order of this occurrence, I must continue pouring into my offspring as my parents poured into me, creating a memorial about me for the next generation.
Today, we have an all-volunteer armed force of which many Americans don’t fully understand the sacrifice that our present military men and women are making. As an all-volunteer force, only 1% of our population serves to protect our freedom.
So, each of the names on this memorial site is connected to each of us with memories tethered to our love and time. The names on these memorials represent Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen who have been lost to us due to death or other circumstances. However, they will always be in our hearts and minds, and their memories will never be forgotten.
When my granddaughter becomes old enough to grasp the concepts of this memorial, I will plan a trip here and show her the names of her relatives listed here, especially the ones who died fighting for her freedom, and explain their inspiration that allowed me to join the military. Then, I will deposit my memories of serving and the intangible rewards I received from serving.
I pass this daily en route to my place of employment. Before my cousin fell ill, one of my last visuals of him was here at this memorial. He was traveling back home to Virginia and had stopped and reflected after seeing his brother’s name, who gave his life in the Vietnam War. On this site, we remember many loved ones who shared the same goal of living a free life. We honor their memory by celebrating the freedoms they fought so hard to attain. We pay tribute to them by passing on the knowledge of their struggles and remembering their courage. We show our respect by embodying the values of freedom and justice they hold dearly. We strive to make their dreams a reality.
When former President Obama gave his speech on Memorial Day in 2015 at Arlington Cemetery, he concluded with these words. “Each simple stone marker, arranged in perfect military precision, signifies the cost of our blessings. It is a debt we can never fully repay, but it is a debt we will never stop trying to fully repay. By remaining a nation worthy of their sacrifice. By living our own lives, the way, the fallen lived theirs -- a testament that ‘Greater love has no other than this than to lay down your life for your friends.’”
I, too, want to end today with the same quote from Jesus’ words from John 15:13 but from the Message: 11-15 I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends.