"He is trampling out the vintage, where the grapes of wrath are stored.... glory, glory, hallelujah!" (TBHTR)
Someone once asked me, as I made a passionate case for honorable veterans. If I was related to any. I am not, at least not that I know of. However, I know something about war. I am familiar with sacrifice and the price you pay, when you live selflessly. And that is basically, the most logic lens. Through which one can view those that have fallen, those still in battle zones and those waiting for the command to engage the enemy.
War has been around, for as long as the world has rotated. For even in the 'highest heavens', war has was used to expel rebellion and pride. Subsequently recognizing sovereignty and setting ranks appropriately. Anything valuable and worth keeping, requires war to accomplish its safety and validate its keeping. Sometimes, one even has to fight. To keep what already belongs, to them. Even 'Peace', the seeming opposite of war. Cannot exist, without the latter confirming and establishing it.
Without having to roam the devastation of a physical battlefield, though the spiritual be familiar to me. And without the anguish, of having to carry a wounded or dying comrade. While defiant and hungry bullets, ricochet in narrowly desperate paths of safety. Common sense still tells me, that someone gave up their present and possible future. To fight for me, to dwell in freedom and normalcy. In other words, there is no special course needed. For us to honor our veterans and those that fought to secure our freedom.
So on this memorial day, join me to say thank you! To those that stepped forward, in courage and valiance. Allow me to give, a heart felt salute. To those who made this, the 'land of the free', because they were brave.
Happy Memorial Day/2017
A Tribute (Letter/Poem)
by Chioma Onwudiwe/Memorial Day 2015
Dear fallen hero,
No I do not know you personally
But from the sacrifice you made
You shed all that binds naturally
To everything dear, goodbye you bade
As you set forth to a future unknown
Fearless and convinced of a reason to fight
Obediently moved with the plan you were shown
Together with your comrades an indomitable might
For man and for country, there bravely you stood
'Oh so proudly we hail you,' as the flag still flies
For all that was won, this freedom so good
We will honor the memory of a gift that never dies
I salute....
