Remember

Mudville Gazette has a long list of Memorial Day links by our best milbloggers. And James, of course, sums things up succinctly.

Orwell said:

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."

And yet our "rough men" - our brothers, friends, fathers and uncles - have a history of humanity that, if anything, may be the American serviceman's greatest legacy; as Steven Ambrose said,

In the spring of 1945, around the world, the sight of a twelve-man squad of teenage boys, armed and in uniform, brought terror to people's hearts. Whether it was a Red Army squad, ... or a German squad ... or a Japanese squad ... that squad meant rape, pillage, looting, wanton destruction, senseless killing. But there was an exception: a squad of GIs, a sight that brought the biggest smiles you ever saw to people's lips, and joy to their hearts.

As we honor the fathers and grandfathers of our current generation of soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines, it's gratifying to know that that legacy is alive and well.

Thanks to all you servicepeople out there.

Posted by Mitch at May 31, 2004 11:38 AM