What did they die for? Author: RaineDate:05/30/2022 13:06:44
In memoriam, on this day.
On this memorial day, I think of all the men and women who died to protect what was behind them. I'm not jingoistic. Those ideals --the freedom, democracy, and humanity -- the things they died for-- are failing us.
In the future days, which we seek to make secure, we look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms.
The first is freedom of speech, and expression—everywhere in the world.
The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way—everywhere in the world.
The third is freedom from want—which, translated into world terms, means economic understandings which will secure to every nation a healthy peacetime life for its inhabitants—everywhere in the world.
The fourth is freedom from fear—which, translated into world terms, means a world-wide reduction of armaments to such a point and in such a thorough fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression against any neighbor—anywhere in the world.
That is no vision of a distant millennium.
It is a definite basis for a kind of world attainable in our own time and generation.
That kind of world is the very antithesis of the so-called new order of tyranny which the dictators seek to create with the crash of a bomb.
It is time we recommit to making this world a better place. Somehow, someway, we have to. We owe it to all those who their souls up for the four freedoms.
On this Memorial Day, when we pause to remember those who have died in this country's wars, let us remember the fallen. Let us honor their memories by making this a better nation. Let us take care of not just the families of the fallen and living veterans but help all who are in need. This day should mean more than just having meals with family and friends but should also be a day with time for remembrance and reflection.