A Day To Remember

In these States, United, (I've been watching the
HBO John Adams series), we are honoring our fallen
heroes of war.  There have been wars supported
and questioned during our country's life, and it
would be interesting to see what would have been
the legacy of the War for Independence had the
outcome been different.

I think public sentiment/patriotism has evolved
into "policy" and "sacrifice".  At least during
this unpopular war we still honor those fallen. 
Thankfully we have learned something from The War
of my childhood.  While my father did not die in
battle, he is now a deceased veteran, and so it is
a "first" for me.

In honor of his service to our country,
I give you this....

TO THE MEMORY OF THE BRAVE AMERICANS

Under General Greene, in South Carolina,
who fell in the action of September 8, 1781

AT Eutaw Springs the valiant died;
Their limbs with dust are covered o'er--
Weep on, ye springs, your tearful tide;
How many heroes are no more!

If in this wreck or ruin, they
Can yet be thought to claim a tear,
O smite your gentle breast, and say
The friends of freedom slumber here!

Thou, who shalt trace this bloody plain,
If goodness rules thy generous breast,
Sigh for the wasted rural reign;
Sign for the shepherds, sunk to rest!

Stranger, their humble graves adorn;
You too may fall, and ask a tear;
'Tis not the beauty of the morn
That proves the evening shall be clear.--

They saw their injured country's woe;
The flaming town, the wasted field;
Then rushed to meet the insulting foe;
They took the spear--but left the shield.

Led by thy conquering genius, Greene,
The Britons they compelled to fly;
None distant viewed the fatal plain,
None grieved, in such a cause to die--

But, like the Parthian, famed of old,
Who, flying, still their arrows threw,
These routed Britons, full as bold,
Retreated, and retreating slew.

Now rest in peace, our patriot band,
Though far from nature's limits thrown,
We trust they find a happier land,
A brighter sunshine of their own.

Dad, Memorial Day 2007