As most folks who know me would agree, my Patriotism and respect for our heroic Service Personnel and Veterans has NO bounds! At this time of each of the past few years, I take Time to pause and reflect upon an issue which arose over three years ago. I refer to two messages which I received, and their effect upon me then AND now.
The messages to which I refer I received via Facebook from two of my Friends who have never met. One of these messages comes from a woman who was one of my students on the East Coast back in the very early 1970’s. The second correspondence was received from a female acquaintance residing in our regional community. Despite the varied distances, both communications share a common thread.
Allow me to explain.
A MESSAGE OF VALOR
The first communication concerns a tragic situation first described in 2010. It refers to the “Darkhorse” Third Battalion, 5th Marines and their families. To quote my former student:
“We are asking everyone to say a prayer for the US “Darkhorse” 3rd Battalion 5th Marines and their families. They are fighting it out in Afghanistan and have lost 9 Marines in 4 days. IT WOULD BE NICE TO SEE IT ON EVERYONE’S PAGE...Even if its only for an hour…Thank you to ALL of “OUR” Service men and women. Sending prayers, strength and encouragement to the marines and other soldiers and their families who lost their lives, and to the soldiers that are still fighting.
R.I.P. Justin Allen 23, Brett Linley 29, Matthew Weikert 29, Justus Bartett 27, Dave Santos 21, Jesse Reed 26, Matthew Johnson 21, Zachary Fisher 24, Brandon King 23, Christopher Goeke 23, and Sheldon Tate 27.... All are Marines who gave their lives for us ....for our freedom! There’s no media for them at all... not even a mention of their names. Please keep these soldiers families in your prayers. SEMPER FI”
A MESSAGE OF
“SOMETHING ELSE”
The second message, from a Friend closer to home, came as a response to a request.
As many readers and Friends are aware, as a result due to a meeting between myself and a (then) “casual acquaintance” a while back, I became aware of the abandoned cemetery and its military Heroes interred at Turnersville. As I have previously noted, a number of Early American Military Heroes lie forgotten in these gravesites. Among these fallen Heroes are Veterans of the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, as well as the War of 1812. Records of their interment, as well as their military exploits are, at the very best, extremely minimal. They are, according to local, regional, and national records, simply forgotten.
My request for assistance in chronicling and bringing remembrance and honor to their efforts has, thus far, been unsuccessful.
The second communication I received indicted that, in the responder’s opinion, local Veteran organizations are ”… much too busy to add yet one more thing to their plate.” Further explanation was that few younger people are “willing to step up to the plate,” and the responsibility seems to always fall on the “same old people.”
RESPONSIBILITY
If, indeed, as the message indicates, that, in that writer’s opinion, fewer younger people are willing to “step up to the plate” and become involved in providing support and recognition to our past, and present, American Military Heroes and Heroines, what is the cause of their non-involvement? Whose “responsibility” is it to educate these young persons on the rich heritage of our Nation? Moreover, does this this responsibility not include the communication concerning those who have courageously fought, and in innumerable instances, bravely gi-ven their Lives to America?
In my humble opinion, the responsibility NEVER ends. It is a continuum, stretching from our Country’s earliest days, throughout generation after generation. Those who would, for whatever reason, willingly dismiss the crucial significance of this concept, undermines the basic foundation of who and what we are.
The same concept holds true for every aspect of our great society. Whether it involves the revitalization and maintenance of our precious historical venues, the support of local and regional business venues, or, as noted above, the recognition of valor: every aspect of our Culture intertwines. Together, all the multitude of variables weave together to form the kaleidoscope of America…its People, its Regions, its Values and Foundation.
PERSONAL RESPONSE
As a personal response to these two communications, I created my fourth piece of original Artwork for our regional organization, OPERATION WOUNDED VETZ. Not to be confused with the “Wounded Warriors Project,” Operation Wounded Vetz is completely dedicated to providing assistance to our local disabled Veterans. I am extremely honored to having served on this organization’s Committee for the past few years, and to have created three previous Artworks (each themed appropriately), the proceeds from the originals and prints going to the Veterans.
The title of this work is “ALWAYS FAITHFUL,” and is a companion piece to the one I created two years previously entitled “BOOT CAMP.” Obviously, the title for this fourth work is a literal translation of the United States Marine motto, SEMPER FIDELIS or SEMPER FI.
From the official Marines’ website:
Semper Fidelis distinguishes the Marine Corps bond from any other. It goes beyond teamwork—it is a brotherhood that can always be counted on. Latin for “always faithful,” Semper Fidelis became the Marine Corps motto in 1883. It guides Marines to remain faithful to the mission at hand, to each other, to the Corps and to country, no matter what. Becoming a Marine is a transformation that cannot be undone, and Semper Fidelis is a permanent reminder of that. Once made, a Marine will forever live by the ethics and values of the Corps.
This work is dedicated to the fallen Heroes of the Darkhorse 3rd Battalion 5th Marines, their families, and ALL the fallen and wounded Service Personnel throughout our history…including those buried at Turnersville.
A FIFTH STEP FORWARD
Again, as many Friends remember, during the late ‘70’s I met, and became Friends with a homeless Viet Nam Veteran, Dan, and his faithful Canine Companion, Sam. AS the years progressed, and I regained “control” of my Life, I searched for Dan and Sam once again. My goal was never attained. No remainder of their existence could be obtained…they were beyond my grasp.
Yet, they, and the tales Dan shared with me of his exploits in ’Nam, have NEVER left me. I still see Sam’s sparkling, loving eyes, and the whispers of his breath in the night.
The fifth and final work I created in the series is entitled “NEVER FORGOTTEN.” It portrays Dan asleep on the street while Sam watches over him. In the background are the Spirts of Dan and his Service Canine…whom he was forced to leave behind in Viet Nam.
WHERE DOES THIS ALL LEAD?
The message which I wish to extend to ALL my readers and Friends is: NEVER, EVER FORGET !
Never forget each of the heroes and heroines who have made this Nation GREAT!
Take a walk through Turnersville Cemetery…or Espyville Cemetery…or Linesville Cemetery…or ANY cemetery. Take the time to read the stones of Remembrance marking the final physical Resting Places of these great men and women.
THEN…keep them in your Hearts…your Minds…and the Soul of our Future.
The messages that I received from the two unrelated sources I described above, are, in the final analysis, not so very different . Both point to a common direction from which we should NEVER falter. I invite each of you, my Friends, to continue on this precious Journey with me.
To all those incredibly brave Servicemen and women who have served and continue to serve: you will NEVER be forgotten!
All I saw was smoke and fire;
I didn’t feel a thing,
but suddenly I was rising higher.
And I felt like I’d just made the biggest mistake
when I though about my unborn child;
when I thought about my wife.
And the answer rang out clear
from somewhere up above:
No greater gift has man, but to lay down his life for love.
And I wonder,
would I give my life?
Could I make that sacrifice?
If it came down to it, could I take the bullet, I would.
Yes I would for you.
Maybe you don’t understand
I don’t understand it all myself.
But there’s a brother on my left and another on my right.
And in his pocket just like mine, he’s got a photograph.
And they’re waiting for him back home.
And it’s weighing on my mind.
I’m not trying to be a hero;
I don’t wanna die.
But right now in this moment, you don’t think twice.
I wonder, would I give my life?
Could I make that sacrifice?
If it came down to it, could I take the bullet, I would.
Yes I would.
You don’t think about right;
you don’t think about wrong.
You just do what you gotta do
to defend your own.
And I’d do the same for you -
Yes I would.
I would give my life.
I would make that sacrifice.
‘Cause if it came down to it, could I take the bullet, I would.
Yes I would do it for you.
I’d do it for you.
KEITH URBAN
(Act of Valor)