Americans WANT to remember ... they just can't
In previous years, Americans were a tactile people
We were capable of remembering such things like ... the noise of a boyhood fight ... the smell of sweat and blood ... the touch of a romantic hand ... the sight of beauty in nature ... all of which, for a greater part, no longer exist in the average American's ken
Electronics and technology coupled with the fast paced assault on our senses with sex and noise pretty much occupies people's minds
We are what we eat and we've been force fed pablum of all sorts that hinder and stop logical thinking and practical application
American's are either busy working or busy complaining ... very few are digging life and trying to explain it o0r pass it on to others .... IF others would stop long enough to listen
The ONLY listeners in America are the people that attend a church that has a preacher that speaks eloquently and long enough to hold interest and provide some additional or advancement in the thought processes of the listeners
And THOSE kinds of churches and preachers are being pushed aside for the mega churches and TV phoneys
Americans have had a large portion of their human compassion atrophy from non-use .... movie magic does all of that FOR them and concludes for them as well
We are conditioned to be judgemental on a major scale (Survivor, Am got talent, the voice, Dance w/stars etc., etc) .. and then loudly proclaim we OTHER Americans should not be judgemental
Americans CAN'T remember our fallen because fallen no longer means anything to them and they can not envision a bloody, smelly battlfield nor hear the cries of "Mama" ... and if they DID ... they'd block it out for the latest scasndal or sensational news byte
PS ... I'm a 67 year old vet and I get angrier each Memorial Day and 4th of July
Roger that, brother! (a year older and just as angry)
I try not to remember those losses I endure or those who were consumed by their service for our country. It is a coping mechanism I use to get me through the day. I set aside special days, like today, where I allow myself to revisit the pains of the losses. They are very real and would consume me if I let them. I hold my head up high and smile for those around me because they need that small gift of comfort to help them through their own day.
Thank you for your service. Should you pass before I do, please extend my appreciation to Master Sgt. Gosselin for his service.