Alexandra Bogdanovic's Blog: That's life... - Posts Tagged "taps"
Taps
I guess Mother Nature is off her meds so her bipolar disorder is raging unchecked. Here in the New York City suburbs, the temperature has gone from an unseasonably warm 85 to an unseasonably chilly 60-something in just a few days.
Nevertheless, a glance at the calendar confirms it's almost June. And a second look (taken just to be sure) provides some measure of reassurance that summer is -- albeit unofficially -- here.
Yes, another Memorial Day weekend is in the books. The first, widely-anticipated, beach and backyard barbecues are over. So are the parades and solemn graveside services. Annual promises to remember and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country have been uttered and forgotten. The last, mournful notes of Taps that sounded around the country have echoed and faded into the distance. My tears have dried... for now.
It never fails. I cry when I hear that haunting call. I cry for those who heeded the call to duty without question and for those who heeded it in spite of personal misgivings. I cry for those who paid the steepest price for their service and for their families.
I cry for those who are physically and emotionally battle-scarred. I cry for those with shiny medals, but no jobs. I cry for those who seek solace in a liquor or pill bottle, and for those whose deepest wounds are misunderstood and go untreated.
I cry because I love my country -- and because I fear the disappearance of all that once made her great.
On paper, America is still a Super Power. But in reality she is a shadow of her former self. Battered by geopolitical forces and the Great Recession, her economic and military dominance is in jeopardy; her leadership is weak.
I cry because so many people refuse to acknowledge this is the case and because so few seem to care. Perhaps arrogance allows them to take our way of life for granted. Perhaps it is just complacency.
But if history has taught us anything, it is that complacency is sheer folly and that our freedom is not guaranteed.
In the past people believed freedom is worth fighting for. I can only hope that doesn't change.
And until next time, "That's life..."
Nevertheless, a glance at the calendar confirms it's almost June. And a second look (taken just to be sure) provides some measure of reassurance that summer is -- albeit unofficially -- here.
Yes, another Memorial Day weekend is in the books. The first, widely-anticipated, beach and backyard barbecues are over. So are the parades and solemn graveside services. Annual promises to remember and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country have been uttered and forgotten. The last, mournful notes of Taps that sounded around the country have echoed and faded into the distance. My tears have dried... for now.
It never fails. I cry when I hear that haunting call. I cry for those who heeded the call to duty without question and for those who heeded it in spite of personal misgivings. I cry for those who paid the steepest price for their service and for their families.
I cry for those who are physically and emotionally battle-scarred. I cry for those with shiny medals, but no jobs. I cry for those who seek solace in a liquor or pill bottle, and for those whose deepest wounds are misunderstood and go untreated.
I cry because I love my country -- and because I fear the disappearance of all that once made her great.
On paper, America is still a Super Power. But in reality she is a shadow of her former self. Battered by geopolitical forces and the Great Recession, her economic and military dominance is in jeopardy; her leadership is weak.
I cry because so many people refuse to acknowledge this is the case and because so few seem to care. Perhaps arrogance allows them to take our way of life for granted. Perhaps it is just complacency.
But if history has taught us anything, it is that complacency is sheer folly and that our freedom is not guaranteed.
In the past people believed freedom is worth fighting for. I can only hope that doesn't change.
And until next time, "That's life..."
That's life...
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