Remember... And Be Worthy

Today is Memorial Day and what more fitting quote than that of General George S. Patton:

It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died, rather we should thank God that such men lived.

Yet how many of us really do thank God that such men (and women) lived, those who as Lincoln said "gave the last full measure of devotion"? And just as importantly, are we making ourselves worthy of the their sacrifice? Have you ever stopped and thought about what it really is that we ask of the young men and women in our armed services? In today's editorial section of the San Diego Union Tribune we are reminded:

The soldiers and Marines who are casualties in this war didn't make the policy. They went where their country sent them and did what it asked them to do against murderous enemies

I hope you realize that we cannot abstract this request as "the Government" told them to do this, it wasn't me. Oh, but it was you, and me, who did it, we cast our ballots, we get lazy and think in a sloppy manner and go through mental acrobatics to absolve ourselves of responsiblity, but we don't hold our "leaders" accountable in any meaningful way. The left is a shrill whose hatred of George Bush the Republican and public evangelical *gasp* makes them a parody of what political opposition should be, while the right takes the tax cuts and cares about nothing else. SHAME ON YOU BOTH! Saying "We hate all Republicans and everything they stand for" (thanks Mr. Dean for the great soundbite) or "I'm a loyal Republican" is not part of argument any sane person would make. This is your government, whether you voted for the man or not. If I cannot convince you of this, perhaps Lincoln can:

It is rather for us the living, we here be dedicated to the great task remaining before us--that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here gave the last full measure of devotion--that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.

Now go, whether you support the war or not, make yourselves worthy of these people who gave their life and limb for our country... no, for you.