FReeper Canteen ~ Guest Military Chaplain Memorial Day Message ~ May 30 2004

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Memorial Day Message

Once again, we come to a Memorial Day service. And once again, I am reminded that we stand here today with a purpose.
That purpose is to recognize and remember.
And once again I am reminded that “Freedom is NOT free.”
Our country’s Freedom has been paid for again and again.

In his Gettysburg Address Abraham Lincoln said several things that are memorable.
There are two things that he said that I want to mention today.

The first is “We can not dedicate--we can not consecrate--we can not hallow-- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it,
far above our poor power to add or detract.”

While we do not stand on a field of struggle today, we live in a world filled with struggle. And we cannot dedicate, consecrate, nor hallow the efforts of men and women to obtain and maintain freedom anymore than they already have. There are no words or actions that can fully recognize the efforts and sacrifices that these people, both living and dead,
have made and continue to make.

This past year, our country once again has gone to war. The casualties were few, but for all of us and especially for the families who lost loved ones, they were too many. This war is ended, but not over. Does that sound a little strange? Well, I guess it is. What I mean is, that our Armed Forces have been Victorious in Iraq, but the war against Terrorism continues. As we all know, there are still those who, for whatever reason, want to “kill” Americans. I am sure I do not understand why. We are the most helpful, considerate, kind and honorable country in history. Please do not misunderstand, I don’t think every one in America is that way, but I do think that as a Nation, we demonstrate those attributes again and again. Americans are good people. As I look around at those to whom I speak today, I see people who have been and are willing to help not only their Iowa neighbors but also their neighbors in this country and their international neighbors as well. It is a great country and we are a great people.

The second quote from Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address is, “The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here,
but it can never forget what THEY did here.”

Isn’t that true. Every year for the past several years, I have written and delivered this address in this very spot. Who remembers what was said? And, for that matter, why should they remember? It is not now, nor has it ever been my intent to be remembered. But we are here to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice and those who still today give the ultimate sacrifice. We are here to remember those who gave themselves, not only in death, but also in sacrifice and effort. Even though they live, the things they were required to do to keep our Great Nation free have changed their lives forever.

Since this is Memorial Day, I thought I might use the word “Memorial” to define some thoughts about the men and women who have given so much to and for us.

Men: Brave men and women who fought and did many different things that were beyond what most would think themselves capable of doing. They responded to the call of their nation when needed and they MUST be remembered.

Endure: Because of their love for our country and fellow man, these people endured many hardships, both physical and mentally. Many gave their lives, all endured much.

Memory: We need to exercise our memories. Every day, we need to remind others, and ourselves
that our freedom was purchased with a cost.

Ownership: The brave ones who fought for themselves as well as for you and for me have ownership in this day and in this country. Not only do they have the right of ownership, but also they pass on to us, the responsibility of ownership. In fact, it is our country to preserve.

Responsibility/Remember: As we honor the brave men and women who have served our country, we find that we do it because it is our responsibility to remember. We have the freedom to do as we like. But along with the freedom that we have been given, comes the responsibility to remember. We acknowledge a debt of gratitude and respect for all.

I-you-me. Each one of us living in this great country is a part of the success or failure of our country. It is up to us. It is our responsibility to preserve and protect our country and it’s freedoms. I-you-me, we can make a difference.

Accountable: We are accountable to ourselves and to each other to maintain the freedoms that we have.
Memorial Day brings many people together to remember. Not only do we share in the loss of those who served their country in uniform, but also those who were so close to each of us. On this day, we perpetuate the memory of the sacrifices of the many who have given so much for each of us.

Love: We love our way of life and we have a good life.
And we love our country.

I looked up the meaning of the word “Freedom” in the dictionary. My American Heritage Dictionary says that Freedom “is the condition of being free”. That interested me so I looked up the word “Free”. And that says that to be free,
one is “at liberty, not bound or constrained”.

Many take Freedom and Liberty for granted. But we are here today to celebrate and remember the many who have helped preserve our Freedom and Liberty. This service is in their honor.

One of the reasons we observe Memorial Day is because we know that we must not forget. We know that many have made the sacrifice so that we can be here today.
We must not forget those sacrifices.

Chaplain Neal Hanley

On This Day In History

Birthdates which occurred on May 30:
1220 Alexander Nevski [Aleksandr] Russian ruler (1252-63)
1524 Selîm II Sari the blonde, sultan of Turkey (1566-74)
1672 Peter I "the Great" Romanov tsar of Russia (1682-1725)
1800 Karl W Feuerbach German mathematician (Position of Feuerbach)
1812 John Alexander McClernand Major General (Union volunteers)
1830 Edward Winslow Hinks Brevet Major General (Union volunteers)
1832 George Doherty Johnston Brigadier General (Confederate Army)
1835 Alfred Austin Leeds England, poet laureate of England (Garden)
1846 Peter Carl Fabergé Russia, goldsmith/jeweler/egg maker
1867 Arthur Vining Davis Sharon MA, CEO (Alcoa-1910-57)
1896 Howard Hawks Goshen IN, director/producer (Rio Bravo, Scarface)
1902 Seton Howard Frederick Lloyd archaeologist
1908 Mel[vin Jerome] Blanc San Francisco CA, voice (Bugs Bunny, Elmer Fudd & Porky Pig)
1909 Benny Goodman Chicago IL, clarinetist/bandleader (King of Swing)
1912 Hugh Griffith Anglesey Wales, actor (Ben Hur, Mutiny on the Bounty, Oliver!)
1916 Dr Joseph W Kennedy scientist (1 of 4 discoverers of plutonium)
1926 Christine Jorgensen pioneer transsexual
1934 Alexei A Leonov Siberia USSR, cosmonaut (Voskhod II, Soyuz 19)
1936 Keir Dullea Cleveland OH, actor (2001, 2010, David & Lisa)
1939 Michael J Pollard Passaic NJ, actor (Bonnie & Clyde, Roxanne)
1943 Gale Sayers NFL running back (Chicago Bears)
1945 Meredith MacRae Houston TX, actress (Petticoat Junction, My 3 Sons)
1946 Candy Lightner political activist/founder (MADD)
1958 Michael E Lopez-Alegria Madrid Spain, US Navy Lieutenant Commander/astronaut (STS 73, sk 92)
1963 Helen Patricia Sharman Great Britain, cosmonaut (Soyuz TM-12)
1964 Wynonna [Christina Judd] Ashland KY, singer (Judds-Why Not Me, Love Can Build A Bridge)
1978 Krassmira Todorava Miss Bulgaria Universe (1997)

Deaths which occurred on May 30:
0727 Hubertus bishop of Tongeren-Maastricht/saint, dies at about 72
1252 Ferdinand III the holy King of Castilië/León, dies
1416 Jerome of Prague burned as a heretic by the Church
1431 Joan of Arc burned as a witch by the English at Rouen at 19
1574 Charles IX King of France (1560-74), dies
1593 Christopher Marlowe British dramatist (Tamburlaine the Great), murdered
1778 Voltaire [François-Marie Arouet] French writer (Candide), dies at 42
1864 James Barbour Terrill US attorney/Confederate Brigadier-General, dies at 26
1865 William Clarke Quantrill criminal/Confederate bushwhacker, dies at 27
1912 Wilbur Wright US aviation pioneer, dies
1918 Georgi V Plechanov Russian revolutionary theorist, dies
1945 Irma Laplasse Flemish farmer/Nazi collaborator, executed
1951 Hermann Broch writer, dies at 64
1954 Ahmad Amin Egyptian historian/author, dies at 67
1960 Boris Pasternak Russian poet/writer (Dr Zhivago), dies at 70
1961 Rafael L Trujillo Molina dictator Dominican Republic (1930-61), murdered at 69
1964 Leo Szilard Hungarians/US nuclear physicst, dies at 66

1971 Audie Murphy WWII hero/actor (Sierra), killed in plane crash at 46

1977 Paul Desmond US jazz saxophonist, dies at 52
1981 Ziaur Rahmen President of Bangladesh, is assassinated
1983 Alfred M Gruenther US General/NATO-commander (1953-56), dies at 84
1986 Hank Mobley US jazz saxophonist, dies at 55
1993 Herman S Blount Sun Ra, US jazz pianist (Solar Arkestra), dies at 79

Reported: MISSING in ACTION

1962 GERBER DANIEL A.
{TAKEN FROM LEPROSARIUM}
1962 MITCHELL ARCHIE E. ELLENSBURG WA.
{TAKEN FROM LEPROSARIUM}
1962 VIETTI ELANOR A. HOUSTON TX.
{TAKEN FROM LEPROSARIUM}
1966 HATCHER DAVID B. MT. AIRY NC.
{02/12/73 RELEASED BY DRV, ALIVE AND WELL 98}
1967 MEHL JAMES P. BELLE HARBOR NY.
{03/04/73 RELEASED BY DRV, ALIVE IN 98}
1968 IODICE FRANK C.
{06/01/68 ESCAPED}
1968 POTTER ALBERT J.
{06/01/68 ESCAPED, DECEASED}
1968 SMITH LEWIS P. II BELLEFONTE PA.
1970 DUKE CHARLES R.
1970 ISHI TOMOHARA JAPAN
{NOT ON OFFICIAL DIA LIST.}
1970 MARK KIT T.

POW / MIA Data & Bios supplied by
the P.O.W. NETWORK. Skidmore, MO. USA.

On this day...
1434 Battle at Lipany
1498 Columbus departs with 6 ships for 3rd trip to America
1522 French troops driven out of Genoa
1527 University of Marburg (Germany) founded
1536 English king Henry VIII marries Jane Seymour
1539 Spanish explorer Fernando de Soto discovers Florida
1574 Henry III follows brother Charles IX as king of France
1588 Spanish Aramada under Medina-Sidonia departs Lisbon to invade England
1783 Benjamin Tower of Philadelphia publishes 1st daily newspaper in US
1808 Napoleon annexes Tuscany & gave it seats in French Senate
1814 1st Treaty of Paris, after Napoleon's 1st abdication
1821 James Boyd patents Rubber Fire Hose
1822 House slave betrays Denmark Vesey conspiracy (37 blacks hanged)
1842 John Francis attempts to assassinate Queen Victoria
1848 2nd battle at Gioto: Sardinia-Piemonte beats Austrians
1848 México ratifies treaty giving US; New Mexico, California & parts of Nevada, Utah, Arizona & Colorado in return for $15 million
1848 William G Young patents ice cream freezer
1854 Kansas-Nebraska Act repealed Missouri Compromise opens north slavery
1858 Hudson Bay Company's rights to Vancouver Island revoked
1862 Battle of Booneville MS - captured General Beauregard evacuates Corinth MS
1862 Battle of Front Royal VA
1864 Battle of Bethesda Church VA
1864 Cavalry fight at Old Church (Totopotomoy Creek) VA

1868 Memorial Day 1st observed when 2 women in Columbus MS placed flowers on both Confederate & Union graves

1872 Mahlon Loomis patents wireless telegraphy
1879 92º F highest temperature ever recorded in Cleveland OH in May
1879 Gilmore Garden (NYC) renamed Madison Square Garden
1883 Rumor that the Brooklyn Bridge is going to collapse caused a stampede that kills 12
1889 The brassiere is invented
1890 1st Dodger homerun (Dave Foutz)
1894 Bobby Lowe is 1st to hit 4 homeruns in 1 baseball game
1896 1st car accident occurs, Henry Wells hit a bicyclist (NYC)
1904 Frank Chance gets hit by pitch 5 times in a doubleheader
1908 1st federal workmen's compensation law approved
1908 Aldrich Vineland Currency Act forerunner to Federal Reserve System
1909 Reuben Siegel laid cornerstone of 1st home in Tel-Aviv
1912 US Marines sent to Nicaragua
1913 1st Balkan War ends, Treaty of London
1913 New country of Albania is formed
1921 Memorial to Captain Eddie Grant, killed in WWI, unveiled at Polo Grounds
1921 Salzburg Austria votes to join Germany
1922 Cubs swap Max Flack for Cardinals Cliff Heathcote during the middle of a doubleheader. Both play for both teams that day

1922 Lincoln Memorial dedicated

1925 Peter DePaolo became 1st man to average over 100 mph at Indianapolis 500
1925 Roger Hornsby replaces Branch Rickey as manager of Cardinals
1927 Walter Johnson records 113th & last shutout of his career
1930 Bill Arnold wins Indianapolis 500 car race (161.6 kph)
1933 Patent on invisible glass installation
1937 Memorial Day Massacre - Chicago police shoot on union marchers at Republic Steel Plant in Chicago, 10 die
1941 1st anti semitic measures in Serbia
1941 English Army enters Baghdad, chasing pro-German coup government
1942 1,047 bombers bomb Cologne in RAF's raid of WWII
1942 Reichsführer Himmler arrives in Prague
1942 Satchel Paige pitches 5 innings to defeat Dizzy Dean All-Stars 8-1
1942 US aircraft carrier Yorktown leaves Pearl Harbor
1943 US troops reconquer Attu Aleutians
1949 East Germans constitution approved
1954 Dutch bishops forbid membership to non-catholic sporting clubs
1955 KMVT TV channel 11 in Twin Falls ID (CBS/NBC/ABC) begins broadcasting
1955 Said el-Mufti forms Jordan Government
1955 Tunisia begins domestic self governing
1956 Bus boycott begins in Tallahassee FL

1958 Unidentified soldiers killed in WWII & Korean War buried in Arlington

1959 President Stroessner disbands Paraguay's parliament
1959 World's 1st hovercraft (SR-N1) tested at Cowes England
1961 Roger Maris hits his 10th & 11th of 61 homeruns
1964 Beatles' "Love Me Do" single goes #1
1965 Viet Cong offensive against US base Da Nang, begins
1965 Vivian Malone, is 1st black to graduate from University of Alabama
1966 300 US airplanes bomb North Vietnam
1967 Biafra declares independence from Nigeria
1967 King Hussein of Jordan visits Cairo
1967 Robert "Evel" Knievel's motorcycle jumps 16 automobiles
1967 Yankee Whitey Ford, nearing 41, announces his retirement from baseball
1968 President De Gaulle disbands French parliament
1971 US Mariner 9 1st satellite to orbit Mars launched
1971 Willie Mays hits his 638th homerun, sets National League record of 1,950 runs scored
1972 3 Japanese PFL terrorists kill 24, wound 72 at Tel Aviv's Lod International Airport
1979 Pat Underwood makes his pitching debut for Detroit beats brother Tom
1979 Percom Data Company Inc release Microdos for Radio Shack's TRS-80
1980 1st papal visit to France since 1814
1981 "Nightline" extends from 4 nights to 5 nights a week (Friday)
1982 Spain becomes 16th member of NATO
1983 American League president Lee MacPhail suspends Yankees owner George Steinbrenner for one week, for his public criticism of umpires
1984 Bomb explodes in rebel leader Eden Pastora headquarters in Nicaragua
1986 Bobby Rahal is 1st to average over 170 mph in the Indianapolis 500
1987 West German Mathias Rust lands airplane on Red Square
1991 64th National Spelling Bee: Joanne Lagatta wins spelling antipyretic
1991 Supreme Court rules prosecutors can be sued for legal advice they give police & can be held accountable
1992 UN votes for sanctions against Serb-led Yugoslavia to halt fighting
1997 Betty Shabazz, widow of Malcolm X, set afire by 12 year old grandson
1997 Child molester Jesse K. Timmendequas was convicted in Trenton, N.J., of raping and strangling a 7-year-old neighbor, Megan Kanka, whose 1994 murder inspired "Megan's Law," requiring that communities be notified when sex offenders move in. (Timmendequas was later sentenced to death.)
2001 Former French Foreign Minister Roland Dumas was convicted of corruption and sentenced to six months in prison.

Holidays
Note: Some Holidays are only applicable on a given "day of the week"

Channel Is, England, N Ireland, Wales : Spring Holiday
Guam, Puerto Rico, US, US Virgin Islands : Memorial Day
Lincoln City IN : Nancy Hanks Lincoln Memorial Day
US : The REAL Memorial Day (Decoration Day) (1868)
US : Memorial Day/Decoration Day, a legal holiday (1868) (Monday)
Virginia : Confederate Memorial Day (1868)(Monday)
Public Relations Week Begins
National Salad Month

Religious Observances
Roman Catholic : Commemoration of St Felix I, pope [268-73], martyr
Roman Catholic : Commemoration of St Ferdinand III, Spanish king/patron of engineers
Roman Catholic : Commemoration of St Jeanne d'Arc, Maid of Orleans, patroness of France
Christian : Solemnity of Pentecost (Whitsunday)
Christian-Scotland : Term Day
Christian : Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity (Trinity Sunday)

Religious History
339 Death of Eusebius, 74, Father of early church history. He attended the Council of Nicea in A.D. 325, and his "Historia Ecclesiastica" contains an abundance of detail on the first three centuries of the Early Church found nowhere else in ancient literature.
1431 French heroine Joan of Arc, 19, a prisoner of the English, was burned at the stake for heresy. (She was later canonized in 1920 by Benedict XV.)
1819 Anglican bishop Reginald Heber, 36, penned the words to the missionary hymn, "From Greenland's Icy Mountains."
1934 The two-day Barmen Synod ended in Germany. The resulting Barmen Declaration affirmed that the German Confessing Church recognized Jesus Christ to be the only authoritative voice of God, in clear contrast to all other (i.e., Nazi) powers representing divine revelation.
1968 Death of Martin Noth, 66, German Old Testament scholar. Noth was the first authority to note that 1&2 Samuel and 1&2 Kings contain virtually no mention of the classic prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Amos and Hosea.

Source: William D. Blake. ALMANAC OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. Minneapolis: Bethany House, 1987.

Thought for the day :
"The hero dead cannot expire:
The dead still play their part."

Actual Newspaper Headlines...
British Union Finds Dwarfs in Short Supply

Why did the Chicken cross the Road...
The Sphinx:
You tell me.

Dumb Laws...
Helena Montana:
No item may be thrown across a street.

A Cowboy's Guide to Life...
The easiest way to eat crow is while it's still warm. The colder it gets, the harder it is to swaller.

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