Memorial Day 2016
Memorial Day is a very special day of remembrance For the American Republic. It is the day set aside so that this nation may pause and draw it’s attention to valiant American Samurai who gave all in the service of not only this Republic but also the many times they served their fellow man.
Ever since the first shots were fired ushering in our Republic’s birth by fire, I wish I could say that our service has been for the greater good. That has not always been the case.
Our Republic came to be as a result of good men seeking the truth of what the Creator had placed in their hearts. Sadly, the hardness of hearts not so inclined to share those truths become a barrier, a barrier that at times that fails to yield to the Creator’s truth and desires. A barrier that becomes reinforced by self desire, misplaced exercise of authority, prejudice born of ignorance, then hardened in many cases by hatred and the lack of humility resulting in the enhancement of simple conflict.
Regardless of the source of any conflict, mankind has has always sought simple, peaceful resolution to differences. It’s inherent in our nature, instilled by our Creator.
Many times though, conflict is not resolved at it’s simplest form and many multidimensional influences enter un-checked resulting in the un-balance of life’s delicate course of peace.
Sadly, good men are drawn to the illusion their needs are greater and outweigh those of others. For many of the few reasons mentioned previously, evil seeds of the heart begin to take root in man’s thoughts further enticing the desires of selfishness. Because the balance of power between the heart and the mind is like two wolves, that wolf which is fed will become dominant, tipping the balance which the Creator tenderly entrusted to “our” care.
Choices now further draw more hearts and minds onto the sides of the issue scale. Some seeking to maintain balance, others desiring to tip the scale only to further define and exasperate the conflict.
It’s at this point that good men are drawn to both sides, either by the truth or lies cloaked and masquerading as truth.
Regardless of the issues, regardless of the the lies, man’s heart is inherently drawn to truth, perceived or tangible and for this reason good men on both sides have to pay tender to an awfully permanent price tag. Regardless of the reasons, that which was life, now becomes merely a memory.
In the culture of the Tamanegi Do, we highly honor the men who pays the ultimate price for righteousness, but we remember that righteous men are drawn to evil and we learn to respect the acts of deadliness that lead to an ultimate conflict so that we may be prepared to face calmly every threat to the truth of freedom and peace.
Freedom’s peace and tranquility, two elements on one half of the scale of life always in opposition to tyrant and chaos. Sadly, this scale is upset by treachery, greed, self-centeredness, hate and quite a few other seeds of evil when they grow to outweigh the peace and tranquility of freedom.
Today, May 30, 2016 we choose to remember each to ourselves those who are dear to us who have paid the ultimate price for our Republic’s Freedom. Freedom cherished by most and yet squandered by others. For now, let me leave you with our cultural thoughts through my adaptation of a poignant dissertation by Father Dennis Edward O’Brian, USMC
I have placed the title “Samurai” in his poem to represent the entire warrior class of America’s defenders of freedom.
It is America’s Samurai, not the reporter, Who has given us freedom of the press.
It is America’s Samurai, not the poet, Who has given us freedom of speech.
It is America’s Samurai, not the organizer, Who gave us the freedom to demonstrate
It is America’s Samurai, Who salutes the flag, Who serves beneath the flag.
And whose coffin is draped by the flag…
Focus today on those who gave their lives that we may enjoy our freedom…
For later, we focus on that which is necessary to retain and secure those freedoms as outlined by our founding fathers and serve our brethren as America’s Samurai.
