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Memorial Day - "I'm Sorry for your loss"
The First Coast Tea Party is one of many organizations who places a wreath at the Veterans Memorial Wall located at 1145 East Adams Street, adjacent to Everbank Stadium on Memorial Day. The event is hosted by the City of Jacksonville. This is a beautiful event and each year those who lost their lives in the prior year are honored and their names are added to the granite monument. It is a solemn occasion yet it is also a celebration of a life of someone who was willing to lay down his life for his fellow man and for the cause of freedom.
I’ve never had any loved one killed in the line of service. I can’t relate to how it must feel. I can only imagine the pain and probably do not come anywhere near fully understanding it.
We see the news reports. We see the crowd who stands along the highway welcoming the solider home for his funeral. We see the articles written about the young man or woman gunned down too early in life. We see all the potential lost forever for that one soul.
At each year’s event, some of the family members speak and try to capture the person’s life for those in attendance. There is laughter and there are tears for a person we have never met.
Last year I sat with a family member who was late getting to the Wall. She was the sister of one who was going to be honored. She was a young woman in early 20’s. When it was time for the family to stand for the wreath placing near their loved one’s name on the wall, she, her husband and a young boy went forward. Afterwards she came back and sat next me.
When the event was over, I turned to her and said, “I’m sorry for your loss.”
I did not expect her answer. She stared at me with the saddest eyes I have ever seen and said, “What did he die for?” She shook her head and turned her eyes downward. For once in my life, I was at a loss for words. I knew the answer was “freedom” or “liberty” but those two words seemed inappropriate at that moment. I imagined that she desperately wanted her brother back and was struggling to make sense of her loss.
I was embarrassed and felt as if I had intruded into her world and her pain. Although hundreds of people stood at the wall, sang songs of freedom, placed wreaths in memory of and wore red poppies on our lapel – none of us really understood the deep, emotional pain of losing a loved one to war.
I think of that young woman often especially when I hear of another young man or woman dying in these wars. Just a few weeks ago another young soldier who recently graduated from a local high school – was killed in Afghanistan. Next year his family will stand at the wall as his name is placed there for eternity. Another young man’s future will end with his name etched on a piece of granite.
We look forward to Memorial Day because we get a 3-day weekend and it signifies the beginning of another summer. Families will bar-b-que, kids will play in blown up pools, the beach will be filled with the smell of suntan lotion and the grocery store will have hamburger and hotdog buns on sale in the middle aisle. And while we are all having fun, family members will place a wreath next to the name of a loved one who died.
I hope you will take time to attend the Memorial Day Service at the Veteran’s Wall at 8:30 a.m. Monday, May 30th. Bring your children or grandchildren to this special event and teach them about the price of sacrifice. You will have plenty of time to bar-b-que and spend time with your family afterwards.
Stand and watch as the family members give their child, brother, son, daughter, wife or mother, one last hurrah for the life they lived. Their death should not go unnoticed especially by those of us who will benefit from it.
There are too many names on that Wall and more will follow in the years to come. Wars will be fought and lives will be lost. Some wars are understood by all mankind and others are challenged.
On this Memorial Day, remember that we have a future because they gave up theirs. Show their family your support by attending the event Monday. For more information, you can find it online at: http://www.coj.net/Welcome/Upcoming-Events/All-Events/Memorial-Wall...
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Comment
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Comment by Tom Wright on May 30, 2011 at 5:58pm
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I was in that age bracket for the Vietnam War, I tried to join but was physically unable to.
I was claasified 4 -A so I did not serve. Many friends I had in high school are on that wall, downtown, I will be attending my 50 year reunion next year, We will miss them all.
I just saw a story on channel 12 about a young man named, Tyler Southern, many may remember him, he was the young man from Mandarin, that many of us stood to welcome him home. He lost both his legs, an arm, and several fingers on the other arm.
Channel 12 is going to be leading a effort to build him a home in the coming months, his is to be married soon, they will be looking for volunteer workers to bang nails, saw a board, or anything you can do, I know I will be volunteering, hope many of the FCTP members will get on board to help.
You can get more information on TV 12"s web site, First Coast New.com.
Also I know we have many small business owners in the FCTP, the unemployment rate of veterans is double the normal rate. If you need an emplyeee, I urge you to hire a veteran.
On this Veterans day, think what you can do to help.
Tom Wright
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Comment by amanda choate on May 30, 2011 at 8:48am
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There was a story about the Medal of Honor soldier last night. What a great young man. Most Medal of Honoe winners are awarded posthumously. Thank a soldier.
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Comment by Elizabeth Baldwin Letchworth on May 29, 2011 at 1:24pm
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My husband was a Marine and serviced his country honorably. I am grateful for having him for a little while and for all of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms. Semper Fidelis and may each family tomorrow feel the warm arms of God around them and feel Him in their heart has they honor their loved ones. While services like tomorrow will be hard on the families, please know that we learn so much for each one of you. Blessings and keep the faith!
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Comment by LeAnne J. King on May 29, 2011 at 10:46am
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I never miss an opportunity to shake the hand of a man or woman in uniform and to thank them for their service. They are my heroes. I am sorry that I will not be at the ceremony as I am out of town, but will look for one in the area I am at. Thank you to all those who serve and to all the families of those who serve. May God bless you all.
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We all indeed need to remember what Memorial Day is. I come from a Marine family and all my life have known how special the military is. I had 3 brothers in the Marines. In 1970 I lost one brother in Vietnam and not a day goes by that I don't think of him and wonder what he would be like today. He just turned 21 when he was killed... just a baby.
When Mike and I go out to the Navy Base at Mayport, I see all those young men and women. They are so young and they are the ones making it possible for us to have the freedoms we have today. We salute all those brave men and women.
We all need to remember everyone who serves/served in the Military. We salute you! We need to do what we can to support them in any way.
Darlene Schmitt
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Comment by J.R. on May 29, 2011 at 8:41am
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We are indeed fortunate to have such brave and patriotic men and women serving in all of our armed forces, as so many before them have done in past generations. All of them should receive our honor and thanks today, including those who have served and come home with injuries, disabilities, and memories that make it difficult for them to adjust to living their daily lives as they did before going off to serve in many places that leave them with indelible memories of conflict in the world and the horrors of war. Many are struggling to restore some form of normalcy to their lives. While it's important that we honor those who have given their lives for their country, it's also important that we honor and help those who have returned to lives here at home that have been changed and made difficult in many ways. It's our turn to serve them in every way we can.
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Songs and poems seem to some times express our feelings much better. Read Rudyard Kiplings, "Ressecional."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recessional_(poem)#The_text
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Comment by Mary Jane Travis on May 29, 2011 at 8:15am
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There is no greater love than a man lay down his life for his country.
May God Bless our military and may God Bless America
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Comment by FCTP on May 29, 2011 at 7:44am
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Buzz: Our very own Chef!! How great to see your website. It's nice to view something that isn't political in nature. We are proud of our members and the talents they bring to this movement. Good job Buzz!
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Comment by Buzz Provost on May 29, 2011 at 6:47am
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Billie, well said. Better than what I could come up with. Keep up the good work. GOD BLESS America.
Buzz BuzzProvost.com
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