Inscribed on our hearts

This day used to be called Decoration Day, because women of the South used to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers after the Civil War, regardless of whether those soldiers had fought for north or south. Which is the point of the day….no matter what we think of any particular war, we honor those who have served, and fallen.

On one of the more extensive Memorial Day websites commemorating this day in every way and helping Americans do the same, there’s this quote set aside:

“Not only are they commemorated by columns and inscriptions, but there dwells also an unwritten memorial of them, graven not on stone but in the hearts of men.” — Pericles (c. 600 B.C.E.)

Expressions of that honor and appreciation are all over the country, and it seems to me that they’re more in evidence these days. I drove through a nearby community this morning that’s sort of a ‘Hometown, USA’ kind of town, and it was a perfect setting for this day. There were flags everywhere. People were flocking on foot and in cars to the large cemetary, which was already lined with cars and people were streaming towards some sort of ceremony. A few blocks later, I stopped by the chapel for awhile, and there were two older gentlemen quietly praying there. I wondered if they were veterans…

When I see veterans, I wonder what they’ve been through, what they’ve seen, and I appreciate them so much. I think of the horrific, graphic violence in the film “Saving Private Ryan”, which was a turning point for me because it was the first time we got a glimpse of what our war veterans have seen and done. I wondered, after that, how they can come home….those who make it….and live a normal life again, in suburbia or wherever, going to malls and stores and businesses and blending in with countless folks who have no idea what heroes they are and don’t ever think of what has gone on through the decades to keep us free to go to malls and movie theaters and fast food places and have barbecues…..and express opposition to war in safety with respect to the laws of the land.

So when I came back to my car, a trolley was passing by, filled with men in many kinds of uniforms, all veterans of war from probably WWII through the current Iraq war, glancing at the group. The police officer at the corner saluted. I wanted to thank them all.

So many people are filled with gratitude, so many people mourn the fallen and want to express it somehow. Here’s a letter posted on that site linked above:

“This weekend I am going to do something different. I am going to buy some carnations each day and go to one of the nearby cemetaries and walk through the sections for soldiers. When I find a grave that has no flowers, I’ll leave one and say a prayer for the family of that person, who for some reason could not bring their soldier flowers. I will pray for our country and all who serve or have served. For their families, who also serve by losing precious days, weeks and months spent with their loved ones who are off serving, preserving peace and the freedom we have in this country. I’ll pray for the families who paid the ultimate price, who’s loved ones died, or were taken captive and never returned. I’ll pray for anyone who may still be held in captivity and thinks perhaps they are forgotten. I do NOT forget.

I heard a report on Fox News last night that 10 million people a month visit online memorials. That’s awesome. We should. Here’s a place to start.

Here’s one to take a moment to visit, and remember.

And I’m grateful for this reminder: “Every Day’s Memorial Day.”