Friday, May 27, 2011

Holiday Message

The Commander of European Command sent out this holiday message. It was too good not to share as we head into this Memorial Day Holiday weekend:

___________________________________________________________

Teammates:
I gave a speech earlier this week in New York to commemorate Memorial Day. In it, I attempted to honor the tremendous sacrifices of all who have answered the call to serve by giving voice to those who were lost to us, but who left us letters that tell their stories. I thought I would share some of my speech with you, and I hope that these words - penned by those who have gone before us - touch you, as they have me.

In their letters, and those of their loved ones, written in the last days of their lives, there is majesty and honesty and humility that deserve our attention as we approach this Memorial Day.

Let me begin with the Civil War, and a letter written by Major Sullivan Ballou, a 32-year old member of the Second Regiment of Rhode Island Volunteers, who died in the Battle of Bull Run. He wrote to his wife, Sarah, just five days before the battle that would cost his life:

"My very dear Sarah, the indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days-perhaps tomorrow. Lest I should not be able to write you again, I feel impelled to write lines that may fall under your eye when I shall be no more ... Sarah: my love for you is deathless. It seems to bind me to you with mighty cables that nothing but omnipotence could break: and yet my love of country comes over me like a strong wind and bears me irresistibly on with all these chains to the battlefield.

Never forget how much I love you, and when my last breath escapes me on the battlefield, it will whisper your name. Do not mourn me dead; think I am gone and wait for thee, for we shall meet again."

A letter from Iraq, this one from US Army Captain Michael MacKinnon, to his young daughter Madison:

"Madison, I'm sorry I broke my promise to you when I said I was coming back. You were the jewel of my life. I don't think anyone would ever be good enough for you. Stay beautiful, stay sweet. You will always be daddy's little girl."

Captain Michael MacKinnon died in October, 2005, in Iraq.

Let me share excerpts from just one more letter. It was written from Iraq as a "just in case" letter by Private First Class Jesse A. Givens, a letter to be delivered to his wife and children only in the event of his death.

"My family," he writes, "I never thought that I would be writing a letter like this. I really don't know where to start. The happiest moments in my life all deal with my little family. I will always have with me the small moments we all shared. The moments when we quit taking life so serious and smiled. The sounds of a beautiful boy's laughter or the simple nudge of a baby unborn. You will never know how complete you have made me...I did not want to have to write this letter. There is so much more I need to say, so much more I need to share...Please keep my babies safe. Please find it in your heart to forgive me for leaving you alone. . . Teach our babies to live life to the fullest, tell yourself to do the same. I will always be there with you...Do me a favor, after you tuck the children in, give them hugs and kisses from me. Go outside and look at the stars and count them. Don't forget to smile.

Love Always, Your husband, Jess."

The letter was delivered in May 2003, two weeks before the birth of their son and just after his death in combat.


What can we take from these letters, so sweet and sad and powerful in their simplicity and honesty? First, and most importantly, that we are a lucky nation indeed to have such men and women, who say to us, "I will go." Second, their words matter. Their lives had weight and importance. That we read their letters and respect them and grieve with their families for their loss. And perhaps most importantly, that we support their families. Third, a lesson for all of us who go on in this world, safe and protected due to the sacrifice of others: we should live our lives to the fullest. To that end, I'd like to close by repeating the words of young Private First Class Jess Givens-who will be forever young in our hearts and our prayers.

He said: Hug and kiss your children, go outside and look at the stars, don't forget to smile. That is pretty good advice for a Memorial Day ... or any day. In the end, what else really matters? So let us remember our heroes-those of our past and those of our present who walk among us right now.

God Bless you all and God Bless America.

Best,

Jim Stavridis

___________________________________________________

Every year we get holiday messages from our leaders. This one was too good not to share. It stands out as holiday messages go and puts everything into perspective. Those who serve do so out of pride and honor for our great country. I am blessed to be an American~

No comments:

Post a Comment