In years past this website has marked the occasion of Memorial Day by reposting the late Ronald Reagan’s famous address – delivered on May 30, 1982 at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington, Virginia.
“I can’t claim to know the words of all the national anthems in the world,” Reagan said in concluding his remarks, “but I don’t know of any other that ends with a question and a challenge as ours does: Does that flag still wave o’er the land of the free and the home of the brave? That is what we must all ask.”
That’s a damn good question …
Earlier this month we published an article entitled “Evil Empire” in which we provided a blunt answer to that question, noting the many ways in which “the last, greatest hope for human liberty has become its most formidable foe.”
So … what does this mean for Memorial Day, an occasion which is marked by a near-universal outpouring of admiration for those who “died for our freedom” and “paid a debt we can never repay” and “gave the ultimate sacrifice” (and any of a dozen other cliches being spouted reflexively across American social media today)?
That’s also a damn good question …
Earlier this year we had a chance to listen to South Carolina’s own Louis Fowler, a World War II veteran who survived a harrowing plane crash and thirteen-month captivity in Nazi-occupied Europe in 1944-45. Fowler specifically recalled a 500-mile death march through occupied Poland and (eventually) the German Fatherland itself, one in which tired, starving stragglers were put down like dogs when they fell behind.
“We lost hundreds of American soldiers that way,” Fowler recalled.
But what did they die for? And more importantly … why have nearly 7,000 Americans died over the last decade in a randomly concluded “War on Terror?”
Obviously Fowler’s comrades-in-arms died freeing Europe from Nazi occupation – battling a foe which previously declared war against the United States and whose leader, Adolf Hitler, had long envisioned a climactic battle against America for world dominion. In fact more than five years prior to taking power in Germany Hitler asserted that one of the goals of his National Socialist movement was to prepare his nation for war with the United States.
So we get that …
But how, exactly, was the Iraq War “fighting for our freedom?” Or for that matter the so-called “right war” – a.k.a. the ongoing Afghan War? And what about Syria? We know “neo-conservatives” like U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (who falsely claimed to be a Gulf War veteran) want to go in guns-a-blazing, but how is that “fighting for our freedom?”
Also, aside from the glaring lack of anything resembling a compelling “national interest” associated with these engagements – can the U.S. Armed Forces legitimately claim the moral authority to “fight for our freedom” when the government it represents is fighting a bureaucratic war against our freedom?
We get it …
“Today is not the day for this discussion,” some say. And maybe they’re right.
Then there’s the ever-popular suggestion, “criticize the government, but respect the individual sacrifice.”
Which we’ve done … and do.
But at this point – how can anyone with an open mind view enlisting in the U.S. Armed Forces – or working for our “Homeland Security” – as “fighting for freedom?” Increasingly in this country, the battle for freedom involves taking a stand against … not with … our government. And in such a battle, the only person who is ever going to care for (let alone fight for) your freedom is you.
***
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General Order No. 11
Headquarters, Grand Army of the Republic
Washington, D.C., May 5, 1868
General John A. Logan
I.
The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form or ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.
We are organized, comrades, as our regulations tell us, for the purpose, among other things, “of preserving and strengthening those kind and fraternal feelings which have bound together the soldiers, sailors, and marines who united to suppress the late rebellion.” What can aid more to assure this result than by cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead, who made their breasts a barricade between our country and its foe? Their soldier lives were the reveille of freedom to a race in chains, and their death a tattoo of rebellious tyranny in arms. We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the Nation can add to their adornment and security is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let no wanton foot tread rudely on such hallowed grounds. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and found mourners. Let no vandalism of avarice of neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten, as a people, the cost of free and undivided republic.
If other eyes grow dull and other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of Life and Freedom from Tyranny remain in us.
Let us, then, at the time appointed, gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with choicest flowers of springtime; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us as sacred charges upon the Nation’s gratitude, — the soldier’s and sailor’s widow and orphan.
II.
It is the purpose of the Commander-in-Chief to inaugurate this observance with the hope it will be kept up from year to year, while a survivor of the war remains to honor the memory of his departed comrades. He earnestly desires the public press to call attention to this Order, and lend its friendly aid in bringing it to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance therewith.
III.
Department commanders will use every effort to make this order effective.
By order of:
JOHN A. LOGAN,
Commander-in-Chief
…
OATH
“I, _____ , do solemnly swear [or affirm] that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter; So help me God.”
KEEPERS
…
Thank you for providing this.!
General Order No. 11
Headquarters, Grand Army of the Republic
Washington, D.C., May 5, 1868
General John A. Logan
I.
The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form or ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.
We are organized, comrades, as our regulations tell us, for the purpose, among other things, “of preserving and strengthening those kind and fraternal feelings which have bound together the soldiers, sailors, and marines who united to suppress the late rebellion.” What can aid more to assure this result than by cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead, who made their breasts a barricade between our country and its foe? Their soldier lives were the reveille of freedom to a race in chains, and their death a tattoo of rebellious tyranny in arms. We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the Nation can add to their adornment and security is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let no wanton foot tread rudely on such hallowed grounds. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and found mourners. Let no vandalism of avarice of neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten, as a people, the cost of free and undivided republic.
If other eyes grow dull and other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of Life and Freedom from Tyranny remain in us.
Let us, then, at the time appointed, gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with choicest flowers of springtime; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us as sacred charges upon the Nation’s gratitude, — the soldier’s and sailor’s widow and orphan.
II.
It is the purpose of the Commander-in-Chief to inaugurate this observance with the hope it will be kept up from year to year, while a survivor of the war remains to honor the memory of his departed comrades. He earnestly desires the public press to call attention to this Order, and lend its friendly aid in bringing it to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance therewith.
III.
Department commanders will use every effort to make this order effective.
By order of:
JOHN A. LOGAN,
Commander-in-Chief
…
OATH
“I, _____ , do solemnly swear [or affirm] that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter; So help me God.”
KEEPERS
…
Thank you for providing this.!
FITS lecturing AMERICANS, and South Carolinaians about our role on Memorial Day…Not sure if it’s more disgusting or more laughable…..
I do know this: Dull, Dishonest, dis-honorable and poor excuses for Americans, as FITS and Obama are, are the BIGGEST problem we face.
Unless you are opposing the worst of us (FITS and Obama) you are miserably failing the people who have died to make you free…
The Lincoln avatar still cracks me up.
Don’t sweat it…Most Mindless Morons will laugh at anything…Bliss is a valuable defense for the Ignorant…lucky for you…
Ya sure know how to tell em Bo!But why not a pic of Jeff Davis?
A message for Sic Willie from Gen. Patton
What is an
atrocity?
Visualize Gen George
Patton Addressing Everyone Today. It Would Go Something Like
This…
ATTENTION!
To ALL Those Whining,
Panty-Waisted, Pathetic Citizens,It’s Time For A Little Refresher Course On
Exactly Why We Americans Occasionally Have To Fight Wars To Keep This Nation
Great.
See If You Can Tear
Yourself Away From Your “Reality” TV And
Starbucks
For A Minute, Pull
Your Head Out Of Your Ass — And LISTEN UP!
Abu Ghraib Is Not
“Torture” Or An “Atrocity.”
Got That
?
THIS IS An
Atrocity!
pic of beheading
So Was
This!
pic of WTC on 9/11
WHICH PART DON’T YOU
GET?
Islam Extremists Are
Peaceful People?
My Ass! Millions Of
These Warped Misled Sons-Of-Bitches Are Plotting,As We Speak, To Destroy Our
Country And Our Way Of Life Any Way They Can.
Some Of Them Are Here
Among Us Now.
They Don’t Want To
Convert You And Don’t Want To Rule You. They Believe You Are A Vile Infestation
Of Allah’s Paradise . They Don’t Give A Shit How “Progressive” You Are, How
Peace-Loving You Are, Or How Much You Sympathize With Their
Cause.
They Want Your Ass
Dead, And They Think It Is God’s Will For Them To Do
It.
Some Think If We Give
Them A Hug Or Listen To Them, Then They’ll Like
Us,
And If You Agree
–
Then You Are A
Pathetic Dumb Ass!
If They Manage To Get
Their Hands On A Nuke, Chemical Agents,Or Even Some Anthrax, You Will Wish To
God We Had Hunted Them DownAnd Killed THEM While We Had The
Chance.
How Many More
Americans, Brits, Canadians, Aussies
Etc.
Must Be Beheaded And
Killed In Barbaric Ways?
You’ve Fallen Asleep
AGAIN – Get Your Head Out Of Your Ass!
You May Never Get Another
Chance!
NOW GET OFF YOUR SORRY
ASS
And Pass This On To
Any And Every Person You Give A Damn About –
If You Ever Gave A
Damn About Anything!
DISMISSED!
This is my Patton fave:
“A good plan, violently executed now, is better than a perfect plan next week[…]May God have mercy upon my enemies, because I won’t.”
A message for Sic Willie from Gen. Patton
What is an
atrocity?
Visualize Gen George
Patton Addressing Everyone Today. It Would Go Something Like
This…
ATTENTION!
To ALL Those Whining,
Panty-Waisted, Pathetic Citizens,It’s Time For A Little Refresher Course On
Exactly Why We Americans Occasionally Have To Fight Wars To Keep This Nation
Great.
See If You Can Tear
Yourself Away From Your “Reality” TV And
Starbucks
For A Minute, Pull
Your Head Out Of Your Ass — And LISTEN UP!
Abu Ghraib Is Not
“Torture” Or An “Atrocity.”
Got That
?
THIS IS An
Atrocity!
pic of beheading
So Was
This!
pic of WTC on 9/11
WHICH PART DON’T YOU
GET?
Islam Extremists Are
Peaceful People?
My Ass! Millions Of
These Warped Misled Sons-Of-Bitches Are Plotting,As We Speak, To Destroy Our
Country And Our Way Of Life Any Way They Can.
Some Of Them Are Here
Among Us Now.
They Don’t Want To
Convert You And Don’t Want To Rule You. They Believe You Are A Vile Infestation
Of Allah’s Paradise . They Don’t Give A Shit How “Progressive” You Are, How
Peace-Loving You Are, Or How Much You Sympathize With Their
Cause.
They Want Your Ass
Dead, And They Think It Is God’s Will For Them To Do
It.
Some Think If We Give
Them A Hug Or Listen To Them, Then They’ll Like
Us,
And If You Agree
–
Then You Are A
Pathetic Dumb Ass!
If They Manage To Get
Their Hands On A Nuke, Chemical Agents,Or Even Some Anthrax, You Will Wish To
God We Had Hunted Them DownAnd Killed THEM While We Had The
Chance.
How Many More
Americans, Brits, Canadians, Aussies
Etc.
Must Be Beheaded And
Killed In Barbaric Ways?
You’ve Fallen Asleep
AGAIN – Get Your Head Out Of Your Ass!
You May Never Get Another
Chance!
NOW GET OFF YOUR SORRY
ASS
And Pass This On To
Any And Every Person You Give A Damn About –
If You Ever Gave A
Damn About Anything!
DISMISSED!
This is my Patton fave:
“A good plan, violently executed now, is better than a perfect plan next week[…]May God have mercy upon my enemies, because I won’t.”