Why we have off Monday...
In this age where cynicism is not just an occasional tool that leads one to question society's motives, rather it is a downright religion. A religion where the ideals of "honor, courage, comittment" are laughed off as being almost unnecessary, unattainable, and anachronistic. It gives me comfort to know that such individuals who believed and believe in such lofty ideals were here for our country and still are.
"Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.
If other eyes grow dull, other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain to us".
General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, May 5, 1868
It should be understood that to many still, Memorial Day is a solemn occasion, which is ever more important during our current time of war. But, to dismiss other's actions on this holiday as being somehow, inappropriate because they are attending a 50% off sale, or tanning on the beach, or partying at the local bar, misses the point to a certain extent. It is because of our fighting men's and women's sacrifice that enables and allows their fellow Americans to enjoy a Monday holiday however they wish.
The above quote expresses the idea that the degree of solemnity of the annual occasion is a personal responsibility. As to personal responsibilty, there are and has been men and women among us that feel the force of responsibility, one may call it duty, to serve and defend this great land of ours. Some have felt so strongly the urge to stand up and take arms against our foes that they have laid down their lives for the rest of us. 142 years ago tomorrow, the 54th Massachusetts regiment marched out of Boston and off to war led by such an individual. Colonel Robert Shaw was just 26, just two months later, when he and almost half of his men gave their lives trying to take Fort Wagner on July 18, 1863. Among those that fought along side Shaw were Frederick Douglas' own two sons, Lewis and Charles, as well as Sojourner Truth's grandson, James Caldwell, and the first African-American to win the Congressional Medal of Honor, William H. Carney. It has been said that after the bodies were collected on the beach near Fort Wagner, that the Confederate soldiers showed no respect for the officer's fallen body, so they tried to disgrace Col. Shaw by stripping him naked and burying him with his men. His father Francis was later quoted as saying, "Robert would have had it no other way..." his body was never exhumed.
Like all citizens of the U. S. , Colonel Shaw had had a lot to lose. He had a new wife, he was educated at Harvard, and his parents were extremely influential. They were friends with politicians, writers, and the like. Robert Shaw did not necessarily have to serve. It was his choice. As was Hamilton Fish's involvement in the Spanish-American War a choice. Seargent Fish was the son of New York socialites, and the grandson of former secretary of state Hamilton Fish. (Who by the way was adamantly opposed to U.S. involvement against the Spanish in Cuba.) Young Sgt. Fish was a graduate of Columbia, and a former captain of its crew team. Like some of the other volunteers in Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders, Fish was an Ivy Leaguer, a polo player, and the press referred to them as dudes, as opposed to the "cow-punchers" from the western territories. For an example of the respect garnered by these men from their fellow soldiers, link here. Las Guasimas was the first major conflict the First United States Cavalry saw. And was where Sgt. Hamilton was cut down by a Spanish bullet through his heart. Like all the other Rough Riders, Sgt. Fish was a volunteer who made the personal decision to go off an fight for his country in a foreign land. A foreign land where disease and pestilence caused as many deaths as bullets. Sgt. Fish is buried in Brooklyn, NY.
During the Spanish-American War the troops who were drafted into service were referred to as regular, while the volunteers were not. It was a time of conscription. During the war for our own independence against the British crown, there was no such conscriptive laws. Our fledgling government had not the power. So one may not realize that all the colonial troops were in fact volunteers. Men had to make the decision to fight, men like Thomas, Andrew, and Aaron Clark. As was the case for the men written of above, the three Clark brothers were children of means. There father Abraham Clark, was an influential individual in the New Jersey colonial government. As well as being a lawyer and a signer of the Declaration of Independence, Abraham Clark was leader of the seldom known abolitionist movement in New Jersey. Many do not realize when the left-wing speaks of wealthy, slave-owning, white men who founded this nation, they are mistaken. Quick question: if slavery was so important to our founding fathers, why was there no mention of it in the constitution? Back to the Clark boys, at one time or another, like a lot of continental soldiers, Thomas, Andrew, and Aaron were all held as prisoners by the British aboard the prison galley, Jersey moored off the coast of Manhattan. It was an infamous hell-hole, and Thomas especially was maltreated. Towards the outset of the war, both Aaron and Thomas were held at the same time aboard the prison galley. Abraham knew of his sons' fate but made know mention of it to his compatriots at Philadelphia, for he was described as an extremely humble man. When knowledge of the two prisoner's father being a signer of the Declaration reached British military authorities, the British tried to use the two officers (all three held the rank of Captain), as bargaining chips. The British made a proposition to Abraham Clark, if he were to disavow his allegiance to the colonial, independence declaration, his sons were to be set free. His answer was..."No." One may not realize that Abraham's eldest son was an artillery officer. And during the Revolutionary War artillery officers were thought of contemptuously and further mistreatment befell them when in enemy custody. Their father was well aware of this. Thomas managed to escape, twice, from the British galley. As did Aaron, and they both survived the war. Not as well known was the fact that the youngest son, Andrew died aboard the Jersey in British custody. He was nineteen. All three brothers, as well as Abraham himself, are buried in Rahway, NJ.
All of these men were sons and/or brothers, or fathers, like so many others. So with each passing these men were mourned by their mothers, fathers, and brothers and sisters, individually. Without meaning to be hyperbulous, but rather to further give proof of the supreme sacrifice, the Sullivan family had to mourn five-fold. The five Sullivan brothers from Waterloo, Iowa enlisted, that is right they volunteered, in the U. S. Navy after word came to them that a close family friend had perished aboard the ill-fated U.S.S. Arizona at Pearl Harbor. The five brothers were all assigned to the destroyer the U.S.S. Juneau. On the evening of Nov. 12, 1942 at the beginning of the battle for Guadalcanal, two opposing task forces met in a rather quick naval battle. The Japanese lost two ships, while the Americans had at least five damaged or sunk, including the Juneau. It is believed that the torpedo that hit he Juneau instantly killed four of the brothers, while George the oldest perished a few days after near a life raft. It is most fairly stated that the brother's parents and sister must have felt tremendous guilt and sorrow. But perhaps a better show of their family's strength, is that at the New York premiere of the movie commemorating the five brothers, their mother and father stood outside the theater to sell war bonds. And in June of 1943, their sister joined the WAVES.
These stories are presented simply as examples of sacrifices that have been made in service to our great nation. For each of the above heroes chose to fulfill a duty, and each payed the ultimate price in completion of that service. I believe they stand alone as reasons to pause and remember on this Monday hence. A more fitting work of condolence for the fallen of our country cannot be found than the one written by our sixteenth president. I think it is fitting to close with it. It read as follows:
Executive Mansion, Washington, November 21, 1864.
Mrs. Bixby, Boston, Massachusetts:
Dear Madam: I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant-General of Massachusetts that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle. I feel how weak and fruitless must be any words of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering to you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save. I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.
Yours very sincerely and respectfully,
Abraham Lincoln.
American Historical Documents, 1000–1904.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.
"Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.
If other eyes grow dull, other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain to us".
General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, May 5, 1868
It should be understood that to many still, Memorial Day is a solemn occasion, which is ever more important during our current time of war. But, to dismiss other's actions on this holiday as being somehow, inappropriate because they are attending a 50% off sale, or tanning on the beach, or partying at the local bar, misses the point to a certain extent. It is because of our fighting men's and women's sacrifice that enables and allows their fellow Americans to enjoy a Monday holiday however they wish.
The above quote expresses the idea that the degree of solemnity of the annual occasion is a personal responsibility. As to personal responsibilty, there are and has been men and women among us that feel the force of responsibility, one may call it duty, to serve and defend this great land of ours. Some have felt so strongly the urge to stand up and take arms against our foes that they have laid down their lives for the rest of us. 142 years ago tomorrow, the 54th Massachusetts regiment marched out of Boston and off to war led by such an individual. Colonel Robert Shaw was just 26, just two months later, when he and almost half of his men gave their lives trying to take Fort Wagner on July 18, 1863. Among those that fought along side Shaw were Frederick Douglas' own two sons, Lewis and Charles, as well as Sojourner Truth's grandson, James Caldwell, and the first African-American to win the Congressional Medal of Honor, William H. Carney. It has been said that after the bodies were collected on the beach near Fort Wagner, that the Confederate soldiers showed no respect for the officer's fallen body, so they tried to disgrace Col. Shaw by stripping him naked and burying him with his men. His father Francis was later quoted as saying, "Robert would have had it no other way..." his body was never exhumed.
Like all citizens of the U. S. , Colonel Shaw had had a lot to lose. He had a new wife, he was educated at Harvard, and his parents were extremely influential. They were friends with politicians, writers, and the like. Robert Shaw did not necessarily have to serve. It was his choice. As was Hamilton Fish's involvement in the Spanish-American War a choice. Seargent Fish was the son of New York socialites, and the grandson of former secretary of state Hamilton Fish. (Who by the way was adamantly opposed to U.S. involvement against the Spanish in Cuba.) Young Sgt. Fish was a graduate of Columbia, and a former captain of its crew team. Like some of the other volunteers in Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders, Fish was an Ivy Leaguer, a polo player, and the press referred to them as dudes, as opposed to the "cow-punchers" from the western territories. For an example of the respect garnered by these men from their fellow soldiers, link here. Las Guasimas was the first major conflict the First United States Cavalry saw. And was where Sgt. Hamilton was cut down by a Spanish bullet through his heart. Like all the other Rough Riders, Sgt. Fish was a volunteer who made the personal decision to go off an fight for his country in a foreign land. A foreign land where disease and pestilence caused as many deaths as bullets. Sgt. Fish is buried in Brooklyn, NY.
During the Spanish-American War the troops who were drafted into service were referred to as regular, while the volunteers were not. It was a time of conscription. During the war for our own independence against the British crown, there was no such conscriptive laws. Our fledgling government had not the power. So one may not realize that all the colonial troops were in fact volunteers. Men had to make the decision to fight, men like Thomas, Andrew, and Aaron Clark. As was the case for the men written of above, the three Clark brothers were children of means. There father Abraham Clark, was an influential individual in the New Jersey colonial government. As well as being a lawyer and a signer of the Declaration of Independence, Abraham Clark was leader of the seldom known abolitionist movement in New Jersey. Many do not realize when the left-wing speaks of wealthy, slave-owning, white men who founded this nation, they are mistaken. Quick question: if slavery was so important to our founding fathers, why was there no mention of it in the constitution? Back to the Clark boys, at one time or another, like a lot of continental soldiers, Thomas, Andrew, and Aaron were all held as prisoners by the British aboard the prison galley, Jersey moored off the coast of Manhattan. It was an infamous hell-hole, and Thomas especially was maltreated. Towards the outset of the war, both Aaron and Thomas were held at the same time aboard the prison galley. Abraham knew of his sons' fate but made know mention of it to his compatriots at Philadelphia, for he was described as an extremely humble man. When knowledge of the two prisoner's father being a signer of the Declaration reached British military authorities, the British tried to use the two officers (all three held the rank of Captain), as bargaining chips. The British made a proposition to Abraham Clark, if he were to disavow his allegiance to the colonial, independence declaration, his sons were to be set free. His answer was..."No." One may not realize that Abraham's eldest son was an artillery officer. And during the Revolutionary War artillery officers were thought of contemptuously and further mistreatment befell them when in enemy custody. Their father was well aware of this. Thomas managed to escape, twice, from the British galley. As did Aaron, and they both survived the war. Not as well known was the fact that the youngest son, Andrew died aboard the Jersey in British custody. He was nineteen. All three brothers, as well as Abraham himself, are buried in Rahway, NJ.
All of these men were sons and/or brothers, or fathers, like so many others. So with each passing these men were mourned by their mothers, fathers, and brothers and sisters, individually. Without meaning to be hyperbulous, but rather to further give proof of the supreme sacrifice, the Sullivan family had to mourn five-fold. The five Sullivan brothers from Waterloo, Iowa enlisted, that is right they volunteered, in the U. S. Navy after word came to them that a close family friend had perished aboard the ill-fated U.S.S. Arizona at Pearl Harbor. The five brothers were all assigned to the destroyer the U.S.S. Juneau. On the evening of Nov. 12, 1942 at the beginning of the battle for Guadalcanal, two opposing task forces met in a rather quick naval battle. The Japanese lost two ships, while the Americans had at least five damaged or sunk, including the Juneau. It is believed that the torpedo that hit he Juneau instantly killed four of the brothers, while George the oldest perished a few days after near a life raft. It is most fairly stated that the brother's parents and sister must have felt tremendous guilt and sorrow. But perhaps a better show of their family's strength, is that at the New York premiere of the movie commemorating the five brothers, their mother and father stood outside the theater to sell war bonds. And in June of 1943, their sister joined the WAVES.
These stories are presented simply as examples of sacrifices that have been made in service to our great nation. For each of the above heroes chose to fulfill a duty, and each payed the ultimate price in completion of that service. I believe they stand alone as reasons to pause and remember on this Monday hence. A more fitting work of condolence for the fallen of our country cannot be found than the one written by our sixteenth president. I think it is fitting to close with it. It read as follows:
Executive Mansion, Washington, November 21, 1864.
Mrs. Bixby, Boston, Massachusetts:
Dear Madam: I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant-General of Massachusetts that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle. I feel how weak and fruitless must be any words of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering to you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save. I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.
Yours very sincerely and respectfully,
Abraham Lincoln.
American Historical Documents, 1000–1904.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.
posted by Daedalus at 5/27/2005 06:16:00 PM
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