Memorial Day @ MindSay

*Earn This

 

how well have we earned?

how long, though we try,

have we felt each whisper

and burned through each sigh?

and how many suns set

with life still at bay

with rivers so journeyed

and journeyed away?

what of the fair soldier

not waking to dream?

still there as a trooper

but lost to the seams.

what debt that we owe him

enjoyed in sweet breath

can pleasant him forward

this life to the next?

and then, have we earned

and, oh, have we tried

to feel us each whisper

that burns through each sigh?

 

--graymatter  

 

written for SSG Chad Arthur Caldwell,  k troop 3/3 ACR.  May he rest in peace.

 

(Stepped on an IED while assisting Iraqi Police)

 

*The title "Earn This" is taken from the movie "Saving Private Ryan".

  

 

When I was at Ft. Stewart last month, one of the highlights of my visit was the afternoon spent walking through the Iraqi Freedom Memorial Garden.  This is a place to show respect and appreciation for the ultimate sacrifice made by these brave soldiers.  I walked with my daughter.  We replaced windblown flags and momentos, brushed away storm debris, and spoke each name aloud.  We read poems left by comrades and loved ones, examined photos, and silently ... or not so silently ... prayed for the families of the fallen.  Each tree in these photos represents a life given. 

 

The cause may not be a clearly defined as some would like.  War has never been nor will it ever be a pretty thing, but there are times it is a necessary thing.  Is this one of those times?  Perhaps ... but that doesn't negate the sacrifice these men and women ... along with their families ... have made on our behalf.  Over the years, so many have died ... even more have suffered in numerous ways.  This is a day to remember them ... not to judge their service or methods ... not to evaluate the causes, but a day to remember. 

 

My heartfelt and deep thanks

to all past, present, and future members of our military family.

 

~ B

My computer just "bling"-ed at me, signaling that I was still logged into Meebo and someone had messaged me. No big deal, unless you are Falling Asleep At Keyboard. I was only just a bit knocked out. I was out in the sun for a few hours, having a good time with my neighbors (the only ones I like). My son was out for a while, but boys being boys, he came back in so he could play video games. We took an extra day off from "school" to celebrate our troops. Fun times. Now I am sitting here, bleary eyed, wishing I could sleep till tomorrow.

If you're a user of the Google search engine, you've probably noticed the custom logos the company often displays for holidays and notable events.  However, as several bloggers have noticed today - Memorial Day in the US - the company has its standard logo up, while other search engines like Yahoo and Ask.com have decorated their logos and homepages to pay tribute to American servicemen and women. 

If it weren't for the fact that Google so often customizes its logo (examples here) - including for obscurities such as the recent 125th Birthday of Walter Gropius and the 50th Anniversary of the Lego Brick - no one would probably be making a big deal out of it, but since the company has become so widely known for it, not doing anything special today certainly seems a bit odd. 

What do you think, did Google drop the ball here, or is it possible for a company with 15,000+ employees simply to "forget"?

Meanwhile, MindSay wishes you a Happy Memorial Day and certainly appreciates the sacrifices of all those who have served and are currently serving in our armed forces.