Their memory is one of wondrous beauty

 Let civilian voices argue the merits or demerits of our processes of government. Whether our strength is being sapped by deficit financing indulged in too long, by federal paternalism grown too mighty, by power groups grown too arrogant, by politics grown too corrupt, by crime grown too rampant, by morals grown too low, by taxes grown too high, by extremists grown too violent; whether our personal liberties are as firm and complete as they should be.

These great national problems are not for your professional participation or military solution. Your guidepost stands out like a tenfold beacon in the night: Duty, Honor, Country. 

 You are the leaven which binds together the entire fabric of our national system of defense. From your ranks come the great captains who hold the Nation's destiny in their hands the moment the war tocsin sounds.

The long gray line has never failed us. Were you to do so, a million ghosts in olive drab, in brown khaki, in blue and gray, would rise from their white crosses, thundering those magic words: Duty, Honor, Country.

 This does not mean that you are warmongers. On the contrary, the soldier above all other people prays for peace, for he must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war. But always in our ears ring the ominous words of Plato, that wisest of all philosophers: Only the dead have seen the end of war.

The shadows are lengthening for me. The twilight is here. My days of old have vanished -- tone and tints. They have gone glimmering through the dreams of things that were. Their memory is one of wondrous beauty, watered by tears and coaxed and caressed by the smiles of yesterday. I listen then, but with thirsty ear, for the witching melody of faint bugles blowing reveille, of far drums beating the long roll. 

 In my dreams I hear again the crash of guns, the rattle of musketry, the strange, mournful mutter of the battlefield. But in the evening of my memory I come back to West Point. Always there echoes and re-echoes: Duty, Honor, Country.

Today marks my final roll call with you. But I want you to know that when I cross the river, my last conscious thoughts will be of the Corps, and the Corps, and the Corps.

I bid you farewell.

= General Douglas MacArthur =

Excerpted from his speech at West Point ~ May 12, 1962

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Happy Monday ~ Happy Memorial Day ~ Happy Week

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Photos :: Memphis National Cemetery, Memphis, Tennessee

Comments

[Glenda]

I have always loved this speech of his. I remember it well.

Your pictures from Memphis National Cemetery are beautiful and poignant. Brings it home when you see row after row of these white headstones.

Happy Memorial Day to you and yours my friend.
G.

[Mari]

What a beautiful post for today. Hope you are having a nice day together. Thank to Andrew for his service.

[irene]

Lovely post for today's day of remembrance.

[Donna (Texas)]

Beautiful shots Jenny....beautiful words.
hughugs