Freedom-Fighters Forum

By William J. Dell – May 1992

IN FLANDERS FIELD

In flanders field the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow.
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe!
To you from failing hands, we throw
The torch – be yours to hold it high!
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In flanders fields.

John McCrae

An Historical Perspective

Because of the 1971 Monday Holiday Bill, the 25th of May will be Memorial Day. In my view, this day has largely become a FORGOTTEN HOLIDAY. Very few of us really understand why there is a Memorial Day. It was vastly different in 1950 when I first remember celebrating this day of remembrance.

Have you ever wondered how we came to have Memorial Day or Decoration Day, as it was know then? The answer to this question can be found historically in the desire of the citizens of our republic to honor the soldiers who had died in the Civil War. After some scattered celebrations, a more formal nationwide observance came into being by General Order No. 11 of the Grand Army of the Republic given May 5, 1868. This order is quoted hereafter:

I. The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form or ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.

We are organized, comrades, as our regulations tell us, for the purpose, among other things, of preserving and strengthening those kind and fraternal feelings which have bound together the soldiers, sailors, and marines who united to suppress the late rebellion. What can aid more to assure this result than cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead, who made their breasts a barricade between our country and its foes? Their soldier lives were the reveille of freedom to a race in chains, and their deaths the tattoo of rebellious tyranny in arms. We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the nation can add to their adornment and security is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let no wanton foot trod rudely on such hallowed grounds. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.

If other eyes grow dull, other hands slack, and other hearts cold in solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain in us.

Let us, then, at the time appointed gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with the choicest flowers of springtime; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upon a nation’s gratitude, the soldier’s and sailor’s widow and orphan.

II. It is the purpose of the Commander-in-Chief to inaugurate this observance with the hope that it will be kept up from year to year, while a survivor of the war remains to honor the memory of his departed comrades. He earnestly desires the public press to lend its friendly aid in bringing to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance therewith.

III. Department commanders will use efforts to make this order effective.

By order of JOHN A. LOGAN

Commander-in-Chief

So from year to year, whether blue or gray, these fallen heroes were honored. As time marched on and this nation gave its sons in the cause of freedom, those of the Spanish- American War, World Wars I and II, the Korean War, the Viet Nam War, and now the Persian Gulf War have been added to the roll call of honor.

As you observe this day remember the patriotic heritage that is yours and those of our family who have served and are serving you and our nation in the military. This day is to honor them. This day is to remember their sacrifices. This day is a time to remember the price of freedom.

Let no one look at our family and say, “They don’t understand the price of freedom.” Fly the flag, place flowers on the graves of our ancestors, and particularly remember those of our family who served that we might have the freedom and liberty provided for in our Bill of Rights. Then with deep fervent gratitude, give thanks to God for our great and blessed nation – the United States of America – and its “government of the people, by the people and for the people”.

 Memorial Day Remembered

As a small boy attending the elementary school in Duncansville, Pennsylvania, I remember marching in the annual Memorial Day Parade carrying a flag as did all the other children of the school. Little ones for the primary grades and larger ones for the older ones. I remember the veterans in their uniforms, the bands, the Boy and Girl Scouts, the decorated bicycles, and the fire trucks. What I most remember however is the services at the Carson Valley Cemetery.

This was a simple patriotic service. As the band marched into the cemetery all the music would cease and everyone marched to the cadence of muffled drums. After everyone was in place, one of the local ministers or priests would offer a prayer. Then as the band played the National Anthem, we would all join in singing. Someone would make some appropriate patriotic remarks. The veterans would then fire two salutes. The first was over the first veteran buried in the cemetery and the second was over the latest veteran buried in the cemetery. Taps would then be played and echoed.

As I said a simple service, but one that evoked a pride for our nation. One that engender patriotism in my young heart and pride for our flag and those who have chosen to support and defend the symbol of our nation — our flag.

This symbol of our nation has not always had its present shape. Through the years it has had many forms. We know this symbol by many names – the flag, the colors, the ensign, but the one I prefer is:

“The Title of Liberty”

Approximately 2065 years ago, a young man of 25 was made general of a vast army, which was raised up to preserve the liberty of the land. And as he rode throughout the country to consolidate his forces, the record indicates “that he rent his coat; and he took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it – in memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children – and he fastened it upon the end of a pole (and he called it the Title of Liberty.) (Al 46:12,13)

Similarly the pilgrim fathers who arrived here in the 17th Century raised different banners, but all to the same end that they might have “liberty” to worship God as they pleased. So these banners were also ‘Titles of Liberty’. Not long ago this nation celebrated the 100 anniversary of the Statue of Liberty and in a few short days will celebrate its 216th birthday. This will be a time to remember when our Founding Fathers raised a new ‘Title of Liberty’ and proclaimed their “liberty throughout the land to all the inhabitants thereof”.

Always though there have been patriots willing to serve. Men and women in uniform and families who served silently while they waited. Always our flag, our ‘Title of Liberty’, has fluttered above them in the breeze and observed their patriotism just as it observes yours today. I have often wondered if it, our ‘Title of Liberty’, could talk how we would measure up. If we are continuing to pass on to our posterity the love of liberty and patriotism our ancestors passed on to us.

I am reminded of the first time I felt pride in our nation and our flag. I was watching a television Christmas special in the early 50′s. Kate Smith was entertaining the soldiers in Korea. They had made a large Uncle Sam’s hat and hung a huge flag behind it. She was on top of the hat singing. It was then that I first heard “God Bless America”. I shall never forget the feelings that were engendered in me that night.

I am grateful for my heritage of service. For my great-great-grandfather, LT. Silas W. Piper and the five sons of my ancestor Peter Dell all of whom served in the Civil War. For my namesake uncles, William Miller and Joseph Dell, who served in World War II. And I am most grateful that I have been able to serve our nation for 25 years in the Navy. I hope that I have been true to the trust of liberty. I hope that I have instilled in my daughters a love for liberty and a desire to preserve it.

This Memorial Day we as a family and nation need to remember the nearly three million men and women who have given their lives in defense of this great nation, I quote from Lincoln’s Gettysburg address, which I often heard on Memorial Day: “It is rather for us to be dedicated to the great task remaining before us, that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here gave the last full measure of 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 government of the people, by the people, and for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”So this Memorial Day join with me in remembering our patriotic heritage. Let your heart swell with thanks and pride for our veterans as you think of Lee Greenwood’s words: “I’m proud to be an American where at least I know I’m free. And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me. And I’d gladly stand up; next to you and defend her still today. Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land — God bless the U.S.A.”