Memorial Day, A Better Way
The Civil War had ended and widows in Columbus, Mississippi had been decorating the graves of fallen Confederate soldiers on that April day in 1866. They noticed the nearby unkempt graves of Union soldiers and decided that would not suffice. By tending to them, too, they began an act of healing for a nation torn asunder. That was the first Memorial Day.
It’s been 141 years since those women’s acts of kindness were first noted. Fallen troops from our Civil War have been joined by those from the Spanish American War, World Wars I and II, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, the current wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and other, smaller conflicts. We memorialize each for their sacrifices with little regard for how they lived or what motivated their service. That they died in uniform is the only certain commonality.
Too rarely do any ask why. It’s considered sacrilege to suggest their deaths were unnecessary or their service was in vain.
“We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution. Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans — born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage — and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this Nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world.
Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty.
This much we pledge and more.To those old allies whose cultural and spiritual origins we share, we pledge the loyalty of faithful friends. United, there is little we cannot do in a host of cooperative ventures. Divided, there is little we can do — for we dare not meet a powerful challenge at odds and split asunder.
To those new States whom we welcome to the ranks of the free, we pledge our word that one form of colonial control shall not have passed away merely to be replaced by a far more iron tyranny. We shall not always expect to find them supporting our view. But we shall always hope to find them strongly supporting their own freedom — and to remember that, in the past, those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside.” (JFK; Inaugural Address, 1961)
There are many courageous men and women who died deserving of every honor we can bestow. Most of our war dead were motivated to defend our country. In domestic struggles, some have fallen in pursuit of liberty and justice who aren’t accorded similar honors, though they should be.
And some died not because of the acts of foreign governments and groups, but because of the ideological pursuits and dishonesty of political and powerful men within our own government.
War has been with us throughout recorded and oral history. Too many times in the course of my 54 years, I’ve watched them fall for that second reason, the victims of our own political and powerful men. While their corpses will be showered with honors by many, including a slew of dishonest political men, I believe the best honor I can offer is one to direct the living towards a future that will reduce the pace of fresh graves dug and fresh lives destroyed by the dishonest architects and engineers of war, foreign and domestic.
Please take time to listen, to hear, and to heed the call for better ways to address human conflict.
One Of These Mornings. (Be sure to return after these many video links.)
“The first peace, which is the most important, is that which comes within the souls of people when they realize their relationship, their oneness with the universe and all its powers, and when they realize that at the center of the universe dwells the Great Spirit, and that this center is really everywhere, it is within each of us.” (Black Elk, 1863-1950)
Often, children can lead the way, but we must also be willing to believe them. Often. Consider what 40 Israeli kids and 40 Arab kids were saying for us all at this event.
That’s what we must do: not defeat others by the ages old method of exterminating them, but by winning them with the powers of great hearts and creative minds. Killing’s so easy an insect can master it. It’s time we walk forward on the path of evolution.
I was inspired by a concert I attended Saturday night, headed by Michael Franti and Burning Spear. I could not afford the price of admission, but from a bridge over a river a few hundred yards away, could hear the music perfectly and enjoy the crowd’s spirit as well. And as it ended and that crowd exited past me, I was moved by all the satisfied and peaceful faces. Thousands of them. It was more peace than I’d seen and experienced in more than four years.
So most of these selections are from the playlist I enjoyed that evening. A few other artists I added, as noted, to move your minds and spirits along. I’ve put them in a sequence I believe will work towards a forward-thinking spiritual evolution.
“Better than a thousand hollow words is one word that brings peace.” (Buddha, 560-483 B.C.)
“Do you know what astonished me most in the world? The inability of force to create anything. In the long run the sword is always beaten by the spirit.” (Napoleon Bonaparte, 1769-1821)
What’s Going On? - Marvin Gaye
Who Wants To Live Forever? (non-Spearhead)
“Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding.” (Albert Einstein, 1879-1955)
Road Of Good Intentions - John Gorka
Here’s a clip from the actual performance I was at Saturday night.
“A truly free society must not include a ‘peace’ which oppresses us. We must learn on our own terms what peace and freedom mean together. There can be no peace if there is social injustice and suppression of human rights, because external and internal peace are inseparable. Peace.is not just the absence of mass destruction, but a positive internal and external condition in which people are free so that they can grow to their full potential.” (Petra Karin Kelly, 1947-1992)
What I Got and the Sesame Street Medley
One Step Closer ( I wish I could find a better audio version online, as this was one of his best encore songs)
Better audio, but not the video.
Despite what some may naysay about the music, I think most anyone who would take the time to attend would have found it enjoyable, even if it was not typically a genre they’d pursue. I suppose, if they also shared a couple of joints with folks nearby, as I chose to do, that would have added to their experience, as well.
And considering the methods and tools used by people to wage war, and the millions of innocent noncombatant lives destroyed, I’ll stand by a little marijuana as a viable tool for the advancement of peaceful conflict resolution, one that does not devalue and destroy and is not deserving of its illegal status. If you disagree, well, I’d encourage you to catch up with human evolution or stay stuck with the dinosaurs in your mental tarpits.
(The rest, below, are from various artists not from that night)
Heaven/Where True Love Goes - Yusuf Islam
My hat’s off to those who have served the cause of liberation and defense against aggressors, not just in our country, but all over the globe, throughout history. But not just to those who wore uniforms. And not just to those who bore arms.
To those who have endeavored to create peace and justice and liberty by any means at all, yet suffered some ill fate and premature death for doing so, my hat’s also off to you. And to those still alive, pursuing similar goals and adding to better the spirits and lives of others, it remains off, this day and every day. You also have earned such honors.
Merci. Gracias. Thanks.
Peace is not the product of terror or fear.
Peace is not the silence of cemeteries.
Peace is not the silent revolt of violent repression.
Peace is the generous, tranquil contribution of all to the good of all.
Peace is dynamism. Peace is generosity.
It is right and it is duty.(Bishop Oscar Romero, 1917-1980)
