Letter: Do we really remember?

I sit here Monday evening, May 26. I m watching and listening to a program on the Capitol, of this, our United States of America, with beautiful camera shots of sculptures. The height of the dome, floor-to-ceiling, 180 feet, 3 inches, and wonder how this was done — the paintings in the ceiling 18 stories up that took 11 months to paint, the additions that took place over the years, as this, our United States of America, grew to what it is today. What majesty and inspiring work.

But do we really remember, or want to remember, the real cost? The human lives it cost to build this country? I wonder as I encouraged my children to watch, as we told them of our visit to see the Capitol building over 20 years ago. Do our young people realize this is not just a building some contractor built, but one that comes with a human price, one that was not paid for with dollars? One that has cost so many families loved ones for over 200 years? They fought in wars they may or may not have believed in.

They fought for one thing — freedom! Freedom to think and to believe as one wished. Fought to make sure future children and generations would have the right to speak out. They fought so this country might be unified in most things that are done to benefit all humanity. They fought so others might not have to go to war or fight. They fought not to have future generations forget that their sacrifice was for everyone! They have more humility than any of us, they know the cost and do not brag.

This being an election year and one that has divided this country to date over the possible candidates and issues, I wonder if the young people who will most likely be the deciding vote remember the cost paid by our veterans to ensure they have the rights they have today.

The symbol of the U.S was not paid for in dollars, it was lives of ordinary citizens, not our tax dollars or by our congressmen and women or any president.

To all our veterans of all wars or police actions our Congress called you to duty for, I say “thank you” for your service to our country.

Tags: memorialday, opinion, hudson, letter, remembrance