This Memorial Day, we want to remember all who have sacrificed their lives in service to our nation in the military. We remember each one and give thanks for
their selfless sacrifice on our behalf.

At the dedication of the Gettysburg Battlefield Memorial Ceremony, Abraham Lincoln spoke for approximately two minutes. In that time, he delivered one of the most relevant, and remembered speeches in our nation’s history.

Albert Einstein said, “If you can’t explain it simply, you do not understand it well enough.”

Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address was uncomplicated and yet full of intimate knowledge and wisdom.

In his address Abraham Lincoln spoke to those who fought, and about those who died. He said, “We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting
place for those who gave their lives that the nation might live.”

Further into his address he went on to say, “But in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate - we cannot consecrate - we cannot hallow - this ground. The brave men living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our power to add or detract. The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.”

What are we to do today? Mr. Lincoln answers the question. He continues by saying, “It is for us the living, rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which those who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be dedicated to the great task remaining before us - that from these honored dead we take increased devotion - that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain - that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom - and that the government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

Abraham Lincoln, very clearly, laid out our responsibilities for the future generations, including ours. As we shoulder our tremendous responsibility this Memorial Day, consider this old poem. I believe that in its simplicity it overflows with wisdom. Author unknown:

Once a task if just begun,
Never leave it till it’s done.
Be the labor great or small
Do it well or not at all.

Above all, as we move forward in our resolve, remember the words of King David in Psalm 34:4:

“I sought the Lord and He delivered me of my fears.”

God bless!

Semper Fidelis
Terry L. Blose
Sgt. USMC
1969-1970 Danang, Chu Lai RVN