Memorial Day --- 2007

© Dr. Gary D. Lemmons, May 27, 2007

On the morrow, Monday, May 28, 2007, we will again pause to reflect upon the sacrifice of so many brave Americans who have given the full measure of devotion to their country and yielded their lives in the defense of our liberties and freedom.  Cemeteries across this land will be decorated with American flags and other symbols of our patriotism and respect.  In towns and cities across our country, ceremonies of remembrance, speeches of appreciation from politicians, and other expressions of thanks to these great heroes will be conducted.

All of this is fitting and proper, but...what about on Tuesday?

After all of the hoopla of the Memorial Day holiday is ended, what does it all signify, unless we as the American people make effective use of the liberties and freedom that these brave people gained and maintained for us.  If we return to the commonplace normalcy of enduring the little pains and usurpations that are foisted upon us by government and its illegitimate child, bureaucracy, without standing, opposing, and righting them, then we are not worthy of the great sacrifices of our forbearers.

We can begin by being sure to exercise the franchise every time and in every election, no matter how trifling it may seem.

As our circumstances permit, we can contribute to the campaigns of selected candidates for office both monetarily and, in kind, with time.

We can allow our opinions to be made known by letters to  and conversations with our elected representatives at whatever level and in whatever capacity they may serve.

We can speak out publicly in letters to the editor or even a website or blog page on the Internet.

When called, we can serve on the jury and perform any number of those duties of citizenship that may inconvenience us but are so necessary to the preservation and progress of the community.

We can pay our taxes.

We can communicate with our friends in our every day lives our feelings and perceptions as to how well the servants we elect are serving us the people, and we can influence many with rational argument and debate.

If we fail to do these things, if we return to the normalcy of vast docile nose-picking herd, then the great sacrifice of all those who have given their last full measure has been in vain and we deserve nothing less than tyranny.

        “It doesn’t matter which pack of dogs you lay down with, sooner or later you are going to get up with fleas.”