Memorial Day Weekend

"Before God, there is neither Greek nor barbarian, neither rich nor poor, and the slave is as good as his master, for by birth all people are free; they are citizens of the universal commonwealth which embraces all the world, brethren of one family, and children of God."

Lord Acton

Memorial Day Weekend comes again, and for some it only marks the beginning of the summer season. You couldn't prove it was summer here by the temperature, but that won't stop many of us from heading to our vacation homes. I'm lucky because I live at my vacation home year round, as do most of us in Lewis County. We may not have the highest per capita income in the state, but you'll never find nicer people anywhere.

I decided to write my Memorial Day thank you early because grandchildren will be occupying much of my time over the weekend. Dominic just turned 3, so my wife and I chugged a bottle of Geritol each for breakfast this morning. Do they still make that stuff? Well, most of you understand what I'm talking about anyway.

There will also be many people throughout this county who will mark the special reason for this Memorial Day, as will millions of others across this great land. This is a special time that has no room for politics. It bears repeating that the only thing you'll see on the grave of a soldier is a cross or a Star of David. The thousands of graves that overlook the beaches of Normandy give no indication of political affiliation. I guess Lord Acton could have added: "Before God, there is neither Republican or Democrat" - at least those who believe in God.

Our current situation is different from the Vietnam period in that most Americans appreciate and respect our men and women of the Armed Forces. Back then you never would have had a photograph of a plane full of silent people who respectfully wait to deplane after the coffin of a soldier is removed. You were more likely to see returning soldiers being treated in a manner unbecoming anyone's claim to humanity. Thankfully most Americans were not like that, and even many of those that were have taken the lesson to heart.

We should be capable of waiting a few days before resuming the debate over what to do in Iraq - we owe it not only to those who are still there, or have died there, but also to the generations of Americans who have heard the call of duty and answered. If you know a veteran, thank them. In not that many years we'll start the countdown to the last surviving veteran from WWII, so there's no time like the present to say "thank you".

To my Dad, who served as a Marine in WWII and was called back up for Korea, and to my father-in-law who also served in WWII, to 3 of my Uncles - thank you for serving in WWII, and many thanks to all the men and women who gave their lives so we could live as we do today.

Memorial Day - Then and Now

As protests erupt in Venezuela, and as we meet with the Iranians for the first time in thirty years, I find myself distracted on Memorial Day. The usual movies are available; picnics and parades abound, and the President's remarks for those who gave their all were covered, but the truth is, not many people heard him, or cared. A sad commentary not only on many Americans, but on the President as well.

As I reflect on those uncounted lives given for this country since our founding, I have come to the conclusion that George Bush has failed us. I still firmly believe that going into Iraq, eliminating Saddam, and offering the people of Iraq their first opportunity to participate in an election are, and should always be remembered, as valid, noble endeavors. Knowing that millions of purple fingers were held aloft because of the sacrifices of our Armed Forces should give every American a sense of accomplishment.

Therein lies the problem - most Americans don't feel that we've accomplished anything.

The President's failure is in leadership; his inability to articulate the nature of our enemy; his failure to unify and demand sacrifice from everyone, but most of all, he's just not Hollywood enough.

As callous as that may seem, it is a facet of the presidency that cannot be ignored.

Lincoln was disparaged in his own time, but history has been kind to him because there was no CNN to nitpick every action and parse every word. He also had the benefit of a well defined enemy, especially geographically. Without a standing army, without a government to negotiate with or topple, the President has failed to define too many whys and wherefores - at least to the satisfaction of the vast majority of the population.

He may well be remembered by history for taking the right course of action, but failing to arouse the nation to arms. In the history books of 2107, when we are in the midst of the ongoing "Terror Wars of Islam", George Bush may not fare as well as Lincoln did in time, but he will certainly be better remembered than those who claim there is no "War on Terror".

The sad fact of the matter is, without the sales skills of a P.T. Barnum, and the media power of a Horace Greely, a President isn't going to accomplish much these days.

I wonder if Lincoln felt that way too?