Memorial Day should take place in March, on a cold, miserable, stormy day; it should not herald the start of summer and easy weather.
Memorial Day is a day of contemplation, not one of celebration. Not only should we remember and give tribute to those courageous enough to fight for our defense. We also should consider those who send children to war in avarice.
On Memorial Day, we necessarily look backward. We also must look ahead.
The human race is violent, yet we possess the capacity to live in peace. The power to endure must overcome the will to vanquish.
Let us hope that wisdom guides those who must decide that preëmption is necessary for defense, not for conquest.
The memory of good men and women of our nation must be honored in the wage of peace as well as battle.
- BEAT! beat! drums!-blow! bugles! blow!
Through the windows-through doors-burst like a ruthless force,
Into the solemn church, and scatter the congregation,
Into the school where the scholar is studying;
Leave not the bridegroom quiet-no happiness must he have now with
his bride,
Nor the peaceful farmer any peace, ploughing his field or gathering
his grain,
So fierce you whirr and pound you drums-so shrill you bugles blow.
- From Drum Taps, Walt Whitman
Evan Sarzin is the author of Hard Bop Piano and Bud Powell published by Gerard & Sarzin Music Publishing. He writes and publishes Revolted Colonies (http://revoltedcolonies.com).