In his now-forgotten statement proclaiming Memorial Day, the now-forgotten John A. Logan, the commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, urged Americans not to forget those who had died in the Civil War. It was only three years since the guns were silenced. The country was stitched together but still torn asunder. Much grief and hurt remained.
So Logan, who in time would become a senator and an unsuccessful Republican candidate for vice president, saluted his fallen comrades as “the reveille of freedom to a race in chains” and described their deaths as “the tattoo of rebellious tyranny in arms.” He issued another call to arms, rallying veterans and civilians alike to visit the tombs of the fallen. His remarks began a great American tradition that became a great American holiday:
“Let us, then, at the time appointed, gather around their sacred remains, and garland the passionless mounds above them with choicest flowers of springtime; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledge to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upon the nation’s gratitude, the soldier’s and sailor’s widow and orphan.”
Lincoln’s pledge
In this statement, itself an artifact from a time long past, there are echoes of perhaps the greatest speech ever delivered on these shores, the second inaugural address of Abraham Lincoln, who vowed that the nation would “care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan.”
That phrase now is on a metal plaque at the entrance of the Department of Veterans Affairs and is enshrined in the American social compact, one of the few elements of our heritage beyond debate and insulated from partisan pressures.
For those of a certain age, which is to say younger than about 60, this day’s early popular name also is all but unknown. But for generations it was known as Decoration Day, and the meaning of that name is clear in Logan’s remarks. When he said, “The consecrated wealth and taste of the nation can add to their adornment and security,” he was speaking of decorating soldiers’ graves.
New show of respect
Today we garland the graves symbolically as well as literally, for there is a new burst of respect not only for the fallen but also for all those who have risen to the military needs of the country.
Last week’s Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll attracted much attention for its finding that support for Barack Obama and Mitt Romney were within the poll’s margin of error. But I was drawn not to the political horse race, but to another finding deep in the poll data — that 76 percent of Americans say they have “a great deal” or “quite a bit” of confidence in the American military.
That’s a very high rate of confidence, especially when you consider that in the same poll only 42 percent said the same thing about the presidency.
Americans aren’t in a new burst of patriotism, but they are in a new burst of appreciation for the military. You see it everywhere.
I’ve been to baseball games in Pittsburgh, Washington, D.C., and Boston in the past few weeks and at each park, returning veterans were introduced and honored. It was perhaps a public-relations decision on the part of the home teams to present them, but it was the individual choices of tens of thousands of people to stand in respect and appreciation for them, to cheer them in thanks, and perhaps to feel the telltale moisture of emotion in their eyes as they did so.
No one commanded those tens of thousands to feel that way. They just did.
If you comb through the data from the WSJ/NBC News poll and others, you will see that this appreciation has been on a general upswing for more than a third of a century. The level of confidence in the military stood at 58 percent in June 1975. That was a few weeks after the North Vietnamese captured Saigon, ending a sorrowful chapter in American history in a sorrowful way. Today, confidence is 30 percent higher than it was then.
Confidence is high
The data have other intriguing findings. In December 1988, just before the collapse of communism, the level of confidence in the military was at only 46 percent. Three years later, after the fall of the Berlin Wall but, almost certainly more relevant, after the first Gulf War, the confidence level was at 78 percent. It reached 85 percent in January 2002, just after the Sept. 11 terrorism attacks and the beginning of the Afghanistan offensive.
The military has had many failures in recent years, some because of poor strategic thinking in Washington, some because of poor behavior in Iraq and Afghanistan. Neither the war in Iraq nor in Afghanistan went even remotely according to plan, though students of the military know that while the first casualty of war is truth — Sen. Hiram W. Johnson’s great insight from 1918, and a sober reminder to all of us in the journalism trade — the second almost always is the carefully scripted plan for the conflict. In that regard, American military planners of the 21st century are part of a great tradition leading back to Andre Maginot and beyond.
What is different now is public approbation for the combatants themselves. Some of it is shallow, or even phony, for the phrase “thank you for your service” sometimes bears the moral weight of “have a nice day.” Some of it is compensation for one of the worst sins of the Vietnam War, the distaste for the veteran who returned from an unpopular cause. Some of it is fashion.
Ordinarily I abhor or ignore fashion; I’m one of the few in my town or yours who needn’t change his wardrobe to attend a 1950s party. But let me say that this is a refreshing fashion. My family and likely yours has in its past the sadness of wartime loss. It’s our job, this weekend and all others of the year, to spend a moment in reflection and gratitude, and in hope that others will be spared the pain that takes no holiday, even this weekend.
Comments
cato_the_elder 11 months, 4 weeks ago
For a different view from one of the most repulsive members of today's left-wing media, click on this link:
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/mark-finkelstein/2012/05/27/chris-hayes-im-uncomfortable-calling-fallen-military-heroes#ixzz1w6mBDLvo
jhawkinsf 11 months, 4 weeks ago
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scott3460 11 months, 4 weeks ago
Well put. I agree.
Mike_Gerhardt 11 months, 4 weeks ago
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tbaker 11 months, 4 weeks ago
Its such a shame to see to an otherwise outstanding voice on this blog display such rank ignorance.
Liberty275 11 months, 4 weeks ago
LOL. I'm glad the left doesn't have your spine, but of course their anti-war stance shifts in the breeze depending on the name of the Commander in Chief.
I know exactly where you are coming from and can understand everything you list as valid arguments. That said, we have allies to support and we have American interests all over the world to protect.
I want to see us minding our own business more, just as you do, but sometimes you have to step up to protect a friend or go digging into the hole to kill the snake that just bit you. Yes, it's all human stupidity, but what are you going to do? We are stupid humans.
It is been a pleasure disagreeing with you. Now go find a herd of peaceniks to chant with.
Liberty275 11 months, 4 weeks ago
BTW, +10 on the paleo cred.
Armstrong 11 months, 4 weeks ago
And they died so even human debris like you have free speech
snap_pop_no_crackle 11 months, 4 weeks ago
L_O, we'll all come down to the bus station to wave good-bye when you move to Russia.
kansasredlegs 11 months, 4 weeks ago
You'll stop trying when you're killed by the evil men who weren't stopped by the evil taxpayer supported military. Fortunately, you'll be safe to live another day to whine & complain at the expense of those willing to actually risk life & limb. There's a couple places for you and yours, Utopia & Fantasy Island. Bon Voyage.
Mike_Gerhardt 11 months, 4 weeks ago
What a schmuck!
Liberty275 11 months, 4 weeks ago
What office do you want me to write you in for on Nov2? I'll vote for you.
vertigo 11 months, 4 weeks ago
Some view the military as killers... they're only half right. The military does kill and break stuff, there's no arguing against that.
They are quick to point out the Koch's charity contributions when others rail against bad deeds they perceive them doing... while simultaneously they are quick to ignore the humanitarian deeds done by the military.
In recent time we've witnessed the Haiti earthquake efforts, Japan's earthquake and tsunami, the tsunami in Indonesia... all of which the U.S. military played a huge role in rescue and recovery efforts.
Elements of these missions included flying in relief supplies, flying out evacuees, including medical evacuees, airdropping supplies from fixed wing aircraft, establishing field hospitals.
Not to mention rescuing crews from Somali pirates, freeing whales from fouled fishing nets, and setting up preventative medical clinics in Africa.
This is just a small sampling of some of the humanitarian efforts done by our military and its members.
I guess if the Koch brothers can atone for their sins by throwing money at charities then surely the military can atone for theirs when they save and rebuild lives.
Personally, I have seen a huge effort from civilians showing their appreciation. It definitely humbles me. So to those who show their appreciation, I say thank you in return for your support.
But remember, Memorial Day isn't about the average military member or veteran. It's about those that gave the ultimate sacrifice in defense our our nation.
vertigo 11 months, 4 weeks ago
I bet the surviving jews at Auschwitz are happy the U.S. military killed for them.
I'm sure the surviving citizens of Houla wished the U.S. military was there right now.
War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse.
vertigo 11 months, 4 weeks ago
Your in favor of allowing genocide to occur.
Noted.
vertigo 11 months, 4 weeks ago
25,000 killed in Dresden
7 million jews killed by the Nazis. No comparison.
How would you stop genocide? Oh yeah. Trade.
Here's some american cheese if you stop killing this race of people you view as vile and disgusting.
Works every time!
Liberty275 11 months, 4 weeks ago
You know, trade can work. Not all dictators are as evil as the Hitler or Stalin. If we can buy off a dictator so he'll not abuse his people, isn't that better than accomplishing the same thing by killing people or accomplishing something different while standing by and watching human rights violations occur?
Would you pay your neighbor $10 to quit beating his wife?
vertigo 11 months, 4 weeks ago
Trade has no effect on genocide when the reason for that genocide is pure hate.
Liberty275 11 months, 4 weeks ago
Of course. But lots of dictators have no desire to kill their peasants, and I was only pointing out that buying them isn't as entirely ineffective as you made it seem to be.
You are right, sometimes the carrot doesn't work. But then you need to find the right pretense to go in and start killing them. We pay presidents to decide when the carrot stops working and come up with a reason for intervening and saving lives. Another country's internal affairs (sadly including genocide) is never something we should mess with. Instead, we just look for or make up violations by the country against us or an ally and use the excuse to stop those sorts of human crimes.
Sometimes they stretch the truth pretty hard as many believe Bush did regarding Iraq. Even if we agree "Bush lied, people died", in the end the Kurds aren't being gassed, Palestinians aren't being paid to martyr themselves by killing busloads of Jews and it's unlikely Iraq will invade Kuwait in the near future.
vertigo 11 months, 4 weeks ago
You thought that was genocide?
Let me buy you a dictionary for your birthday then.
gen·o·cide noun the deliberate and systematic extermination of a national, racial, political, or cultural group.
extermination of a group...
Do you need me to define extermination and group for you as well?
Liberty275 11 months, 4 weeks ago
Yeah, there's a big difference between killing, say 10 percent of the population and genocide. Killing lots of humans is pretty bad, but ridding the world of a peoples is evil.
Sometimes bad is worth enduring to be rid of evil.
just_another_bozo_on_this_bus 11 months, 4 weeks ago
As usual, Andrew Bacevich, retired Army colonel, provides an important perspective.
"The Golden Age of Special Operations"
http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/175547/tomgram%3A_andrew_bacevich%2C_the_golden_age_of_special_operations/
Agnostick 11 months, 4 weeks ago
Thanks to all the current and former military personnel for doing the job that I don't have the patience, backbone, or self-discipline to do.
Liberty275 11 months, 4 weeks ago
We should probably thank him for lying to them.
CWGOKU 11 months, 4 weeks ago
Thank you Veterans
Armstrong 11 months, 4 weeks ago
To all the " freedom loving" liberals out there. As you rip the military for what they do ( and do better then anyone else ) remeber those who gave it all so you can run your mouth. Semper Fi
jonas_opines 11 months, 4 weeks ago
I assume that "liberal" is simply your definition for the people that you disagree with, in totality?
Because the only people/person saying anything here that could qualify as ripping the military would sneer at being labeled as liberals.
Armstrong 11 months, 4 weeks ago
I rest my case. Thanks to the above idiots for proving my point
jonas_opines 11 months, 4 weeks ago
You had a point? Because anything resembling a point in there, I don't see it being confirmed much at all. I'm guessing that there would be no response other than, well, no response, that would have caused you to not post exactly what you wrote, eh?
But this is going to go in one ear and right out the other, isn't it?
jonas_opines 11 months, 4 weeks ago
But don't get me wrong. The virulent leftists around here are just as guilty as labeling anybody who disagrees with Them as a Neo-con or Kocher, or whatever.
Just in case you were under the impression that I thought they were better than you. You're the same, that's all.
Armstrong 11 months, 4 weeks ago
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
Frankie8 11 months, 4 weeks ago
I have such respect and admiration for the military. But, when we use that word we are speaking of five branches and thousands of people. I am envious of the units that work in unity and harmony where they come to understand each other so well and know without a doubt that they have each others back.
That is why I want to see women placed in combat positions so they can fight and accomplish saving lives and making the bad guys have second thoughts. Women should have a chance to experience the comradeship that develops in those situations. War is ugly business, always has been, always will be, but there are times when the other choice is even worse.
Men and women of the military, know this, that there are those of us that respect you, that support you, that love you and wish you the best. Thank you.
snap_pop_no_crackle 11 months, 4 weeks ago
Alex, can we get an "ignore" function on this award-winning website?
Agnostick 11 months, 4 weeks ago
What would your life be worth without merrill's posts to chase all day long?
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