“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” — Martin Luther King, Jr.

Soft shadows cast in twilight’s gleam from the granite of our hopes. Like centurions of ages old they take their place, row-on-row, to render salutes and honors. With a Spartan call, a simple reminder, their silent place now venerated; our sacred hallowed ground.

Through storming nights and seething winds, they weather together with our flag to proclaim the solemn promise. Destiny’s rock reminds us.

Memorial Day is our divine decree; to remember the heroes of the cause, who bravely perished for today, with visions of tomorrow. Reflections of those who marched with pride expose the young face of determination. They fought, they bled, they cried, they died, for a cause beyond compare. Those warriors of our liberty plunged into desperation, spilling their very lives on terrible fields of fire.

To give for self is survival, to cede for others so noble. The warriors of our cause conceived the grander part of living was in sacrificial giving. To stand for others, to fight for the weak, to protect the dream, to bugle hope’s song; indeed they answered the call. The dream to flourish, our hopes to grow, for the promise of our peace they marched, row-on-row. Freedom’s ultimate price was their noble sacrifice.

Now sentinels stand in reverence to mark the place where heroes lie. Eerie echoes haunt the quiet, ringing reminders of their vow. “That I will support and defend the Constitution,” no matter the exaction. Some forgotten, some lost, heroes every one, the silent stand of granite reminds us of them all.

For to live in freedom’s light is to cast the shadow of their plight; the great American Warrior.

“. . . from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion.” — Abraham Lincoln

 

Max Butler is a 1976 graduate of Niles High School, who retired as the Eighth Command Sergeant Major of the Copper State’s Army National Guard. Max is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership at Grand Canyon University.