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Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Back When Life was in Black and White

In the United States and Great Britain today is "VE Day"....

We celebrate with those who remember this day in history when 'Victory' came to 'Europe'....and we honor the fallen, those who so valiantly gave their lives for our country..
       

Every time we drive that winding road in our mind, we see them...the black and white photos of a distant time....etched into the corners...of a time oft forgotten..





I find myself often staring into these faces...

My head tilts, and my mind wanders into their moments...
I remember that they are just like you and me. Hoping and planning for their futures...dreaming of life, and laughter...overcoming their pain...striving to make a name for themselves and hoping to leave a legacy that will live beyond their years...


Sometimes, I have referred to this time as ..'back when life was in black and white'..
And somehow..it has never seemed more true.

Life now has become colorfully complicated with the inventions and improvements of so much to make our life simpler, and yet with this simplicity has come busyness, distractedness and  a hurriedness. We are no longer a people who seem to sit still long enough to even ponder the 'stuff' that life is made of. It is gravely ironic that even in these advancements of technology, we have become increasingly isolated from the history that may repeat itself.

I venture to say that this has become a worldwide phenomenon...and yet the one thing that we must never concede to...is the thought...that it will not change...for one by one...we can make a difference....


There is sweet freedom in losing ourselves and giving til it hurts...

The photos may be in black and white, but the blood is still red..regardless. And that blood remains on us...



Recently a World War 2 veteran...looked at me sadly and said  "With the way our country is going, I feel like the 26 years I spent in the military was a waste."
(He fought in World War 2 and suffered mercilessly as a Prisoner of War for part of that time)

                                                                         
It broke my heart to hear these words from one of the few remaining men who have been often considered, and rightly so, part of this nation's..."Greatest Generation".

May we vow to never live in a way, that steals away the memory of the blood, sweat and tears that shall forever, bind us to our freedom...

We must fight complacency..we must seek knowledge...and study history...for some day someone will see you as well, in a photo...your moment in time, and your legacy will have been  left for all the world to see. 

                                                                          

"The true danger is when liberty is nibbled away, for expedients, and by parts."
(-edmund burke 1777')










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