Loss isn’t like that.

And we have given so much of our best recently, for a goal whose end seems nearly as far away today as ever it did.” –Neptunux Lex 2005 Memorial Day

May 25, 1861

“To the Father and Mother of Col. Elmer E. Ellsworth:

My dear Sir and Madam, In the untimely loss of your noble son, our affliction here, is scarcely less than your own. So much of promised usefulness to one’s country, and of bright hopes for one’s self and friends, have rarely been so suddenly dashed, as in his fall. In size, in years, and in youthful appearance, a boy only, his power to command men, was surpassingly great. This power, combined with a fine intellect, an indomitable energy, and a taste altogether military, constituted in him, as seemed to me, the best natural talent, in that department, I ever knew. And yet he was singularly modest and deferential in social intercourse. My acquaintance with him began less than two years ago; yet through the latter half of the intervening period, it was as intimate as the disparity of our ages, and my engrossing engagements, would permit. To me, he appeared to have no indulgences or pastimes; and I never heard him utter a profane, or intemperate word. What was conclusive of his good heart, he never forgot his parents. The honors he labored for so laudably, and, in the sad end, so gallantly gave his life, he meant for them, no less than for himself.

In the hope that it may be no intrusion upon the sacredness of your sorrow, I have ventured to address you this tribute to the memory of my young friend, and your brave and early fallen child.

May God give you that consolation which is beyond all earthly power. Sincerely your friend in a common affliction”
–A. Lincoln

The is the first time in about 4yrs that I haven’t been deployed haze grey and underway for memorial day. However, I am not angry about it. Because in the last 4 years I have had a chance to visit some of those far flung places where we have laid American’s sons. I have also attended memorial day celebrations at some of these places. The best one statement about why they gave thier life was from a Belgian who was a child during Operation Market Garden. He said, “They swore to up hold the Constitution of the United States and in it that little ideal that all men are created equal and free. Not a president, not a nation, but a belief.”

Update: Lex says it all so much better….