Just a Day of Remembrance?

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jacquie_Hurlbut]Jacquie Hurlbut
There are twenty four military cemeteries on foreign soils that are resting places for our precious blood. Of course, not included are the unmarked graves of those buried where they fell, along with many more lost at sea, and those who rest in our homeland. Add to that sacrifice; fellow Americans who returned home, many injured beyond compare, only to assume the role of law abiding citizens. Upon their return they continued to contribute to society.
America has a long history of fighting battles to free humankind, and to protect all that we Americans hold dear. The emotional cost to our Nation has been heartbreaking, the grief to generations of families, unimaginable, and yet the Military Might of America is forever ready.
How do we repay them and how do we honor their memories, and contributions to us the American people? Is it sufficient to establish a couple of days a year, and then go back to doing what pleases us? How insignificant to give so little time to the fallen. We need to ask ourselves why they served, and for many why they were willing to sacrifice their lives. I feel confident that if asked, the answer would be, "We gave in order to defend the Constitution, the American way of life and Liberty."
And so it is with all our Heroes, so many missed potentials, and "what ifs"... What we do know is that their selfless actions reflect only the best. Individually and collectively the loss of these patriots is ours. To the generations that have already given, to those who even today continue to give and put their lives on the line, make no mistake, present and future generations will never be able to repay you. You are missed, you are to be treasured, and honored not just one day of the year but every day.
The finest way to honor the fallen is to uphold America as intended by the Founding Fathers, when they wrote the Constitution. As patriots, let your voices be heard, in the halls of Congress, let your voices be heard in the schools, let your voices be heard amongst your neighbors, let your voices be heard in cities, towns, and municipalities, all over this great nation. The way to accomplish that is to let your voices be heard by your vote, support your vote with knowledge. Then and only then can we say to those who served and those who sacrificed.
"Rest easy, sleep well my brothers and sisters....Know the line has held, your job is done....Rest easy, sleep well....Others have taken up where you fell, the line has held....Peace, peace, and farewell..."
By Poet: Hugh Wyles.
Jacqueline F Hurlbut, Author, Patriot Heart: A story about Brigadier General George Ashworth Cobham Jr, who was killed at The Battle of Peachtree Creek, Atlanta Georgia. Over 100 letters written from the battlefields that would provide insight, glimpses of his personal life, his view of the war and the battles that he and his men fought. It is true they were from his perspective, a vision which came from a man of faith, an officer, gentleman, patriot, husband, father, son, and brother, who would in due course be called a Hero. See more information at http://libertyandvirtue.com

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Just-a-Day-of-Remembrance?&id=6659342] Just a Day of Remembrance?