Standing on a Wall

Veterans Day always stirs certain emotions in me.  Many years ago I almost served in the Air Force – almost is the key word.  Somehow we became a “kinder and gentler” nation and my dreams of being a pilot disappeared with the reduction of our military force.  (Ironically, Iraq invaded Kuwait within six months of the reduction…).  I still turn my eyes skyward every time I hear jet-noise from a military jet.  But, this isn’t about me.

My family has a long history of serving in the military.  I have a brother who is in the Army and has already been deployed to Iraq three times, another brother who served in the Royal Australian Air Force, a father who served in the Army, and an uncle who earned two Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart while serving in Vietnam (he retired from the Army with over 30 years in).  Because of this, our family has quite a bit of patriotism and love for our troops.  Today’s post is a tribute to all those who have served honorably when called upon.

He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,

Will stand a tip-toe when this day is named,

And rouse him at the name of Crispian.

He that shall live this day, and see old age,

Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,

And say, "To-morrow is Saint Crispian."

Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars,

And say, "These wounds I had on Crispian's day."

Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot,

But he'll remember with advantages

What feats he did that day. Then shall our names,

Familiar in his mouth as household words,

Harry the King, Bedford, and Exeter,

Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester,

Be in their flowing cups freshly rememb'red.

This story shall the good man teach his son;

And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,

From this day to the ending of the world,

But we in it shall be remembered,

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers.

For he to-day that sheds his blood with me

Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,

This day shall gentle his condition;

And gentlemen in England now a-bed

Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here,

And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks

That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.

n  William Shakespeare

n  The Life of Henry the V, Act 4 Scene 3

My eternal gratitude to all of you who stand on that wall to make sure that my family and I can sleep in peace each night!