It's Memorial Day weekend here in The States. For most, it means lots of sales, cookouts, and a long weekend with friends and family. That's great, and I urge everyone to have a great time this weekend. But I also want to gently remind everyone what this holiday is for: remembering those who have served, and given the ultimate sacrifice in that service. Even if you don't personally know someone who has lost their life in service to their country, take a moment this weekend to remember the men and women who have.
I'm including a link to a piece of music that most of us are familiar with, whether it's just from TV and movies, or if you're unlucky enough to have been present when it was performed.
It's a short, stark, beautiful piece, played on a single bugle, and performed at military funerals. It's one of the final acts that link every Soldier, Marine, Seamen, and Airmen, to the generations that came before them. I'm also including the words (which I only learned a handful of years ago, even existed):
Day is done,
Gone the sun,
From the hills,
From the lake,
From the skies.
All is well,
Safely rest,
God is nigh
Go to sleep,
Peaceful sleep,
May the soldier
Or sailor,
God keep.
On the land
Or the deep,
Safe in sleep.
Love, good night,
Must thou go,
When the day,
And the night
Need thee so?
All is well.
Speedeth all
To their rest.
Fades the light;
And afar
Goeth day,
And the stars
Shineth bright,
Fare thee well,
Day has gone,
Night is on.
Thanks and praise,
For our days.
'Neath the sun,
'Neath the stars,
'Neath the sky,
As we go,
This we know,
God is nigh.
I don't mean to bring down anyone's mood, but it's worth remembering what this holiday is for. I'm posting this in honor of
Sgt. Ingraham
Spc. Moonhill
Spc. Mercedes
SSG Roos
and my grandpa, Ray Skala
@missy @penny @eirenne