Memoria in Aeterna
It is the Soldier, not the reporter,
Who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the Soldier, not the poet,
Who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the Soldier, not the organizer,
Who gave us the freedom to demonstrate
It is the Soldier, who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protester to burn the flag.
Father Dennis Edward O’Brien, USMC
Beautiful! So many reasons we all should be grateful to our veterans.
I think too many people live in a protective middle class bubble and have no idea what price has been paid for their comfort.
That’s why I go into great detail with my students about why I expect them to say the Pledge of Allegiance each morning. Once they realize all the substance behind the words, they begin to “get it.”