Courtesy a friend from across the pond, the fourth line of this poem is read at memorial services in Great Britain, every November 11, Remembrance Day, recalling that World War I formally ended after 11 am, on November 11, 1918, when the Germans signed the Armistice.
For The Fallen, by Laurence Binyon
With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea. ... See More
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.
Solemn the drums thrill; Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres,
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.
They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England's foam.
But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;
As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain;
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Patriotic Music
This is by no means a complete list, but I offer here my favorite patriotic music. I'd be happy to hear any suggestions.
8th of November, by Big & Rich
America, I Believe in You, by The Charlie Daniels Band
America The Beautiful, by Kathrine Lee Bates and Samuel A. Ward
American Soldier, by Toby Keith
The American Way, by The Charlie Daniels Band
Battle Hymn Of The Republic
Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue, by Toby Keith
God Bless America, by Irving Berlin
God Bless America Again, by The Charlie Daniels Band
God Bless the Mother, by The Charlie Daniels Band
God Bless The USA , by Lee Greenwood
Fifty Ways to get Bin Laden, by Ray Stevens
Have You Forgotten, by Darryl Worley
In America, by The Charlie Daniels Band
Last Fallen Hero, by The Charlie Daniels Band
Letters from Home, by John Michael Montgomery
The Marine's Hymn
My Beautiful America, by The Charlie Daniels Band
My Country 'Tis of Thee, by Samuel Francis Smith
Only In America, by Brooks and Dunne
Our America, by Big & Rich
Some Gave All, by Billy Ray Cyrus
The Star Spangled Banner, by Francis Scott Key
Stars and Stripes Forever, by John Philip Sousa
Stars and Stripes Forever, by R.W. Lowden
That's Freedom, by Pete Robertson
The Taliban Song, by Toby Keith
This ain't no Rag (it's a Flag), by The Charlie Daniels Band
This Is My Country, by Don Raye and Al Jacobs
This Land is Your Land, by Woody Guthrie
Where the Stars and Stripes and the Eagle Fly, by Aaron Tippin
Where Were You, by Alan Jackson
You're a Grand Old Flag, by George M. Cohan
8th of November, by Big & Rich
America, I Believe in You, by The Charlie Daniels Band
America The Beautiful, by Kathrine Lee Bates and Samuel A. Ward
American Soldier, by Toby Keith
The American Way, by The Charlie Daniels Band
Battle Hymn Of The Republic
Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue, by Toby Keith
God Bless America, by Irving Berlin
God Bless America Again, by The Charlie Daniels Band
God Bless the Mother, by The Charlie Daniels Band
God Bless The USA , by Lee Greenwood
Fifty Ways to get Bin Laden, by Ray Stevens
Have You Forgotten, by Darryl Worley
In America, by The Charlie Daniels Band
Last Fallen Hero, by The Charlie Daniels Band
Letters from Home, by John Michael Montgomery
The Marine's Hymn
My Beautiful America, by The Charlie Daniels Band
My Country 'Tis of Thee, by Samuel Francis Smith
Only In America, by Brooks and Dunne
Our America, by Big & Rich
Some Gave All, by Billy Ray Cyrus
The Star Spangled Banner, by Francis Scott Key
Stars and Stripes Forever, by John Philip Sousa
Stars and Stripes Forever, by R.W. Lowden
That's Freedom, by Pete Robertson
The Taliban Song, by Toby Keith
This ain't no Rag (it's a Flag), by The Charlie Daniels Band
This Is My Country, by Don Raye and Al Jacobs
This Land is Your Land, by Woody Guthrie
Where the Stars and Stripes and the Eagle Fly, by Aaron Tippin
Where Were You, by Alan Jackson
You're a Grand Old Flag, by George M. Cohan
Where did our mother country go?
It can be said without a doubt that America is the rebellious child of Great Britain. Asserting our independence and creating out of the cacophony of war a multi-threaded yet harmonious symphony of a nation was destined to happen, whether by chance, fate, or as I believe, by God's hand. But throughout our nation's history, it can also be said that the nation we severed ourselves from became quickly our staunchest ally.
Through two world wars, countless conflicts, and numerous times of trouble, Britain has stood by us, and we it. Yet now, Britain seems almost paralyzed with the same palsy afflicting much of Europe. Our mother country has been overtaken by Socialism, Islamism, and a general sense of existence without purpose, without direction, without value.
Great Britain is no longer great. It has devolved into just one of many nations succumbing to the rationalization that says we're all equal, regardless of what we do, regardless of what we believe, regardless of what we wish. Great Britain needs to wake up. Our once proud, indomitable, and courageous ally needs to shake off the dust of complacency, return to its roots as a bastion of intolerance, and become once more the lion of old.
Yes, I said intolerance, but not the kind we think of today. Britain once would brook no thought of becoming any less than it was, any less Anglican, any less British. To become like the French, or any other European country for that matter, was unthinkable. The greatness of Britain stemmed from its inexorable march toward empire, toward strength, toward dominance, toward making the rest of the world more like itself.
Somehow, somewhen, that changed, and dominating the world, physically, economically, politically, became a sin, something to be ashamed of, and being strong was associated with aggression. Britain needs to shake off the blinders of yesteryear, and realize that strength is just that, that aggression need not be allowed to rule a strong nation, and that the desire to make the world more British did much to propel the world out of the Dark Ages.
Britain has much to be thoughtful, even remorseful about, but so does every other nation, if they're honest. It's time Britain stood up, held its head high once more, and acted as though it was still Great.
Through two world wars, countless conflicts, and numerous times of trouble, Britain has stood by us, and we it. Yet now, Britain seems almost paralyzed with the same palsy afflicting much of Europe. Our mother country has been overtaken by Socialism, Islamism, and a general sense of existence without purpose, without direction, without value.
Great Britain is no longer great. It has devolved into just one of many nations succumbing to the rationalization that says we're all equal, regardless of what we do, regardless of what we believe, regardless of what we wish. Great Britain needs to wake up. Our once proud, indomitable, and courageous ally needs to shake off the dust of complacency, return to its roots as a bastion of intolerance, and become once more the lion of old.
Yes, I said intolerance, but not the kind we think of today. Britain once would brook no thought of becoming any less than it was, any less Anglican, any less British. To become like the French, or any other European country for that matter, was unthinkable. The greatness of Britain stemmed from its inexorable march toward empire, toward strength, toward dominance, toward making the rest of the world more like itself.
Somehow, somewhen, that changed, and dominating the world, physically, economically, politically, became a sin, something to be ashamed of, and being strong was associated with aggression. Britain needs to shake off the blinders of yesteryear, and realize that strength is just that, that aggression need not be allowed to rule a strong nation, and that the desire to make the world more British did much to propel the world out of the Dark Ages.
Britain has much to be thoughtful, even remorseful about, but so does every other nation, if they're honest. It's time Britain stood up, held its head high once more, and acted as though it was still Great.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
The Ultimate Dis
Memorial Day is meant to be a day of commemoration, a day of remembrance. For President Obama, it seems more likely to be one he wants to forget, or soon will be.
Foregoing the usual presidential appearance at our nations most celebrated military cemetery, the President has elected to take a vacation, no doubt planning a community cookout at the old community center, with a round or two of golf, and a quick memorial service via Blackberry on Sunday morning.
It should probably come as no surprise that this is how President Obama acts on such a day as Memorial Day, given the anti-military actions of his nominee for SCOTUS, but it gives a much clearer picture of his true feelings for America. These are Americans we commemorate, their sacrifice the ultimate, for peace, security, and freedom, for ourselves, and for the world.
To disregard as simple a thing as an appearance at a cemetery shows President Obama's lack of respect, not only for our military, but for his office, and for Americans as a whole. Each of the war dead had a father, mother, perhaps brothers and sisters, relatives no doubt, all Americans. Some of our war dead are not long such, and families still grieve.
President Obama will regret taking a vacation this weekend. It's one more example, concrete evidence, that the man that America put into office is not worthy of the title American, much less President.
Foregoing the usual presidential appearance at our nations most celebrated military cemetery, the President has elected to take a vacation, no doubt planning a community cookout at the old community center, with a round or two of golf, and a quick memorial service via Blackberry on Sunday morning.
It should probably come as no surprise that this is how President Obama acts on such a day as Memorial Day, given the anti-military actions of his nominee for SCOTUS, but it gives a much clearer picture of his true feelings for America. These are Americans we commemorate, their sacrifice the ultimate, for peace, security, and freedom, for ourselves, and for the world.
To disregard as simple a thing as an appearance at a cemetery shows President Obama's lack of respect, not only for our military, but for his office, and for Americans as a whole. Each of the war dead had a father, mother, perhaps brothers and sisters, relatives no doubt, all Americans. Some of our war dead are not long such, and families still grieve.
President Obama will regret taking a vacation this weekend. It's one more example, concrete evidence, that the man that America put into office is not worthy of the title American, much less President.
Memorial Day, 2010
Memorial Day. The day we commemmorate the fallen who made the ultimate sacrifice for the protection of their country and the cause of Freedom. The day we set aside for pilgrimages to rolling fields of white crosses, adorned with little flags. The day we remind ourselves that Freedom is not free; it is the one thing that often costs everthing.
Go, all who would know the price of Freedom, to the rolling hills. Survey for yourselves the cost it demands. Let your little ones gaze in uncomprehending wonder, your old in rememberance, and reflect within yourselves the blood-price of Freedom.
Weep, all who would remember the cost that was paid. Weep for those lost in the Argonne, at Bastogne, at Tarawa, in Korea, Vietnam, Mogadishu, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Weep for the blood poured out upon the alter of Freedom, so willingly shed for so noble a cause.
Fly, all who would show the world our continued dedication to liberty, the Flag of our forefathers, the Flag that flew over Iowa Jima, the Flag the flew over the Pentagon, the Flag the flies over our capital, the Stars and Stripes, Old Glory, the symbol of all that is good and great and wonderful in this world. Fly the Flag of Freedom.
Stand, all who would enoble their own hearts. Stand with those who slogged once and still through sand and muck and mud and blood, into the thunder and fury of battle, unswerving, undaunted, to dimly-seen victory. Stand with those long-gone, silent sentinels, ever watchful, waiting to see who next will pick up the guidon of Freedom. Stand and be counted.
I am no hero, but I count myself fortunate to have served with some. I have no claim to personal bravery or courageous action, but I know some who do, and bear the mantle of many who did. I am lifted up by their spirit, and encouraged by their memory. In the early morning hours I will go to the rolling fields and there I will weep. I will fly the flag in rememberance and honor of those gone before, and I will stand, with them, and with you, when next the clarion sounds, and Freedom demands once more its price be paid.
Who then will stand in the gap, for Freedom?
Go, all who would know the price of Freedom, to the rolling hills. Survey for yourselves the cost it demands. Let your little ones gaze in uncomprehending wonder, your old in rememberance, and reflect within yourselves the blood-price of Freedom.
Weep, all who would remember the cost that was paid. Weep for those lost in the Argonne, at Bastogne, at Tarawa, in Korea, Vietnam, Mogadishu, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Weep for the blood poured out upon the alter of Freedom, so willingly shed for so noble a cause.
Fly, all who would show the world our continued dedication to liberty, the Flag of our forefathers, the Flag that flew over Iowa Jima, the Flag the flew over the Pentagon, the Flag the flies over our capital, the Stars and Stripes, Old Glory, the symbol of all that is good and great and wonderful in this world. Fly the Flag of Freedom.
Stand, all who would enoble their own hearts. Stand with those who slogged once and still through sand and muck and mud and blood, into the thunder and fury of battle, unswerving, undaunted, to dimly-seen victory. Stand with those long-gone, silent sentinels, ever watchful, waiting to see who next will pick up the guidon of Freedom. Stand and be counted.
I am no hero, but I count myself fortunate to have served with some. I have no claim to personal bravery or courageous action, but I know some who do, and bear the mantle of many who did. I am lifted up by their spirit, and encouraged by their memory. In the early morning hours I will go to the rolling fields and there I will weep. I will fly the flag in rememberance and honor of those gone before, and I will stand, with them, and with you, when next the clarion sounds, and Freedom demands once more its price be paid.
Who then will stand in the gap, for Freedom?
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