Ahh - Memorial Day weekend, the traditional start to summer, is here. 3 whole days of R&R (Rest and Recuperation) to be spent as we please. My plans include working on the yard and house, plus giving the new Honda lawn mower a workout. I spent several hours today (Saturday) doing just that, along with the usual weekend chores and errands. But don't worry, there will also be some serious relaxation time scheduled.
There will also be some time allotted to contemplating the reason for this wee
kend holiday. There were, and still are, members of our society who cannot enjoy a relaxing weekend. They have sacrificed, in some cases literally, their lives so that we may enjoy ours. Those that serve, or have served, our country, no matter where or when, have my eternal gratitude and envy. I was unable to join them and will always regret that fact. But I give them my salute, as three volleys resound in my head and the mournful notes of "Taps" echo in the valley. Give a thought this weekend, if you will, to that "band of brothers" who have given their all to keep us free.
"This day is called the Feast of Crispian:
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a-tiptoe when the day is named,
And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
He that shall see this day and live t'old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And say "To-morrow is Saint Crispian":
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars
And say "These wounds I had on Crispin's day."
Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot,
But he'll remember with advantages
What feats he did that day. Then shall our names,
Familiar in his mouth as household words
Harry the King, Bedford and Exeter,
Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester,
Be in their flowing cups freshly remembered.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remembered;
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he today that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in England now abed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day. (IV, iii)"
May God bless them and the country they served, and may their names be remembered, now and for the rest of time, as those of heroes.
There will also be some time allotted to contemplating the reason for this wee
kend holiday. There were, and still are, members of our society who cannot enjoy a relaxing weekend. They have sacrificed, in some cases literally, their lives so that we may enjoy ours. Those that serve, or have served, our country, no matter where or when, have my eternal gratitude and envy. I was unable to join them and will always regret that fact. But I give them my salute, as three volleys resound in my head and the mournful notes of "Taps" echo in the valley. Give a thought this weekend, if you will, to that "band of brothers" who have given their all to keep us free."This day is called the Feast of Crispian:
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a-tiptoe when the day is named,
And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
He that shall see this day and live t'old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And say "To-morrow is Saint Crispian":
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars
And say "These wounds I had on Crispin's day."
Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot,
But he'll remember with advantages
What feats he did that day. Then shall our names,
Familiar in his mouth as household words
Harry the King, Bedford and Exeter,
Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester,
Be in their flowing cups freshly remembered.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remembered;
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he today that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in England now abed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day. (IV, iii)"
May God bless them and the country they served, and may their names be remembered, now and for the rest of time, as those of heroes.
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