MEMORIAL DAY ADDRESS, MAY 25, 2009

Delivered at Waterman Lions Park, American Legion Memorial

by

Steve Simpson, Principal, Waterman Elementary School

We are gathered here today to commemorate what is perhaps the most solemn and sobering of national holidays.  While some may view Memorial Day as simply another occasion for a mattress sale or an annual kickoff to the summer tourist season, the fact that we are all together, at a place and ceremony such as this, indicates that WE recognize this national day of remembrance as being much more significant than that.  It is truly a special day, and I am both honored and humbled that our local heroes of the American Legion have invited me to share some remarks with you. 

Having worked in the field of education for twenty-two years, as a teacher, and currently, as a principal, my thoughts are often framed by the mindset of trying to help the youngest generation of Americans learn the skills and knowledge needed to carry this great country forward.  It is from a similar frame of mind that we generally approach holidays with our children and within our families and communities.  Each December, for example, we expect the Sunday sermons to remind us that Christmas is about much more than stacks of presents and a jolly old elf, it is about the most remarkable, special child born in the humblest of places.  Likewise, it is fitting today that we remind ourselves of the origins of Memorial Day, and then add some thoughtful reflection on how to keep the rightful spirit of this day alive and well within our country, but more importantly, within our hearts.

It is commonly known that Memorial Day has its roots in the bloodiest of struggles, in which more American casualties and fatalities were suffered than any conflict before or since – the American Civil War.  Back then it was known as Decoration Day, a special day that arose from the practice of Confederate widows decorating the graves of fallen rebel soldiers with the many native blossoms that were plentiful throughout the American South.  This form of commemoration spread rapidly to the North, and soon, Union grave markers were being adorned with flowers as well.

As Illinoisans, we can take great pride in the fact that it was an Illinois General, John Logan, who, as commander of the United States Army in 1868, only three short years after the conclusion of our Civil War, ordered the first national observance of a Memorial Day in Union cemeteries across the nation.

As Decoration Day evolved into Memorial Day, so too did the scope of this day of remembrance, when following the first World War it was expanded to honor all Americans who had ever fought and died in any of our nation’s battles to preserve and protect our precious freedoms.

Reminding ourselves about the origins of this holiday is certainly appropriate, but the bigger issue lies with our struggle to answer these patriotic questions:  How can we, suitably honor our brave fallen?  How could we ever give them enough tribute?  What can we, who are gathered here today possibly do? 

For guidance we need not look any further than, once again, the historical backdrop of the American Civil War and another Illinoisan whose bicentennial birth we are celebrating this very year – Abraham Lincoln.

Lincoln has been recognized by historians as our most oft-quoted president, and it can be successfully argued that his most eloquent and well-remembered remarks were offered as a memorial address when dedicating the National Cemetery at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.  In that Gettysburg Address, the President of the United States was careful not to specifically honor only the Union soldiers who had fought and died there, but all Americans who had struggled there, because he recognized that each side considered themselves as fighting for freedom.  Lincoln told his audience that the only possible way to honor their lost friends and loved ones was to be devoted to the preservation and even expansion of the very freedoms for which they had sacrificed their lives.

What was true at Gettysburg then is true in our communities today and, at the very least, equally as meaningful.  But how can we translate Lincoln’s advice into action?

What can we do to carry the cause of liberty forward?

            A simple phrase uttered by one of our least—quoted Presidents, the offspring of Puritan New Englanders, “Silent Cal” – Calvin Coolidge points us in the proper direction.  During the violent domestic turmoil of the Gangster Era of the 1920’s, Coolidge tried to calm a somewhat panic-stricken nation by telling us, “The best way to rid the country of evil, is to fill it with good.”  What could be more American that just such a basic, logical, straightforward piece of advice – if we want to get rid of the evil within our midst – work on filling our country with good!  The key to this Coolidge philosophy and if we combine it with Lincoln’s remarks to create a Lincoln -- Coolidge nexus, is that our thoughts and actions are the key to Memorial Day.  If we truly want to honor our fallen heroes, then we must do everything we can to prevent our liberties from eroding, and it stems from the way in which we view each other.  If we cast cynical and condemning eyes upon our fellow countrymen by enveloping ourselves in the gloom and doom that dominate our pessimistic media, then we are doomed.  Lincoln and Coolidge, both being well-schooled in the strict interpretation of the Constitution, knew full well that we ultimately have the democratic ability to vote, legislate, tax, and regulate our every freedom out of existence if we operate from a philosophy that we are largely an evil, murderous, and greedy nation filled with selfish citizens.  When we look at each other with cynical suspicion then we rally around the cry of the latest and greatest restrictive laws of the day, saying “there ought to be a law against this or that!”  When we behave in such a manner we clamor to restrict liberty and do a disservice to those who died to earn and protect it.  I am not aware of a single American soldier who died thinking they were advancing the causes of socialism or the tyranny of big government.  When we look at our country on our television screens, the sensationalistic press may want us to see evil, but when we look at own local slice of America with our eyes wide open, what we see is quite different.

When we look around at each other who are gathered together today, we see Americans deserving of respect and as much individual liberty as what our Founding Fathers intended.  We see neighbors out in their lawns visiting with each other while taking a break from yard work.  We see children engaged in America’s pastime, as summer rec. baseball and softball teams trot onto the diamonds this time of year.  We see local charitable organizations and businesses working together to extend a helping hand to those who have temporarily fallen upon hard times.  We are part of communities that are highly supportive of our local schools.  Our church parking lots are full on Sunday mornings, and kind, welcoming, caring greetings and conversations are heard on our streets and in our restaurants. 

By continuing to behave in this manner, we encourage and remind each other that our nation’s best days are not behind us, but in front of us if we resist the temptation to support restrictive or conformist laws and regulations born out of disdain for each other.  Jesus puts forth our Golden Rule in Matthew 7:12  “So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for this is the law and the prophets.”  What better advice is there on how to be respectful of each other’s liberty and independence?  What better guidance could be given on how to be a good American?

So, when we ask ourselves, how can we honor our fallen and pass along the meaning of their ultimate sacrifice?  How can we combine the advice of Lincoln & Coolidge and the Golden Rule?  We can continue to be the best Americans and neighbors we know how to be.

We can resist the temptation of turning away from the liberty that God has given us and worshiping at the false alter of large, restrictive government programs.  We can give our fellow countrymen and women the benefit of the doubt, because, we are, after all, Americans.  We search for commonalties while celebrating our rugged individualism and “can do” stubbornness.  If we resolve to be faithful to our Almighty God, optimistic, and true to our roots as a democratic republic, then we will truly honor and memorialize those who are deserving of such on this Memorial Day.  Rather than conclude by simply saying, “God Bless America,” I would like to say, let us leave here devoted to encouraging each other and our nation as a whole, to behave in a manner deserving of God’s Blessings.  Again, thank you to our men & women in uniform and the especially our American Legion.

And I thank you for your thoughtful attention.