Please click on the link below: http://www.yahoo.americangreetings.com/view.pd?i=69664683&m=1240&rr=y&source=yahoo999
Thank you, Dr. G. The sentiment is appreciated. Obviously not your doing, but . . . Tis a bit ironic that the American Greetings Memorial Day card is accompanied by the German tune that Hitler chose as the Nazi Anthem in the 1930s. (Yes, I know it has had many other manifestations, including the current European anthem, but still...) And then there is the "Remember those who sacrificed..." graphic of 18 tombstones, each with the Christian cross on it. I do try to be a bit more reflective on Memorial Day, and this just goes a bit against the grain. John
Here's an interesting article about WWI and Knoxville Tennessee. It touches on many things. Jack Neely.
In Flanders Fields In Flanders Fields In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields. -John McCrae *************************************** Memorial day I reflect upon the sacrifices made by those who fought and died in the name of freedom. So that we might be free from hate, free from discrimination, free to think and say what we wished, the soldiers guided by their conscience risked life and limb so that we may live in a more perfect world. Today we are far from free; we retain discrimination and censorship. Yet we are have more freedoms that we have ever held before, and we have the means available to continue this liberation. However many are still not free, they are enslaved, unjustly imprisoned and oppressed. As we pause this Memorial Day to remember those who have fought for our freedoms we must continue the fight. We may join the military to fight for our country, we may sign up as foreign missionaries, and we may fight poverty and illiteracy locally. Whatever we do we must honor those that fought before us by continuing the fight. Remember, reflect, and act. This is the only way to achieve a lasting peace. May this be the last Memorial Day during war. Peace and Freedom are not mutually exclusive; the just require a determination among peoples. My thoughts and prayers are with our troops – those of yesterday and today, and their families. Your work is appreciated, your mission noble.
"The just require a determination among peoples." Natural law theory doesn't usually pack the verbal punch of your statement. Thanks for the fitting thought for Memorial Day. Janko
