Memorial Day Observance....

A great misunderstanding in America today is the belief you celebrate Memorial Day. No, it is observed, the day we pay tribute to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, Or as Abraham Lincoln so eloquently said, in arguable the finest speech given on American soil, "...that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion..." So I will not celebrate Memorial Day, but observe it on this blog.

Last summer I visited Arlington National Cemetery, to visit two old soldiers, friends, comrades, and mentors. COL Chris Wells and COL Robert Williams. Both gone too soon.




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In May of 2019, I made it up to visit a friend in NE Texas. Richard Chism, retired Special Forces Master Sergeant. Another man gone too damn soon, a great influence and mentor to numerous Army ROTA cadets, now officers or retired officers. A cadet or new lieutenant needs some adult supervision, and he was that to many of us. Again, gone too soon.



One of Patton's quotes is appropriate here. “It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather, we should thank God that such men lived.” And I do thank the Almighty that these men lead, mentored, and developed countless soldiers in their time.

Rest in Peace friends. Till our next formation.