by Correspondent Ron Seman
This week we observe the 140th anniversary of Memorial Day, a day of high purpose set aside to remember those brave and gallant Americans who made the supreme sacrifice so that our nation might remain free.
As we reflect on the profound nature of such human sacrifice, we become increasingly aware that such sacrifices are made out of love " for God, for country and for family " so that the freedom we enjoy and cherish might flourish and endure. We are sad that our loved ones cannot be with us, but we can rejoice in the knowledge that the love they displayed signals hope for the future of mankind. It follows then that if we are capable of such love, we are certainly capable of living in peace and harmony.
A man who suffered all of the challenges and criticism of citizens as this nation's 16th president during the Civil War was no stranger to the magnificent sacrifices made by those who fought for totally different ideals.
Abraham Lincoln's inspirational words, eloquent by every measure, remain as alive and vibrant as when he spoke them at Gettysburg:
" it is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us " that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion " that we here highly resolved that these dead shall not have died in vain " that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom " and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth."
Editor's Note: Seman is the author of the Record Publishing Co.'s weekly Veteran's Beat column.
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