Day to remember those that were bigger

A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself--Joseph Campbell

Starts with a post

Just got this quote from a Facebook post.  Thinking of all the friends and family members that were in the military on this Memorial Day. 2010. All those that serve this country for the protection of our freedom and liberty. For a time, the American People were not so nice to Veterans and this is a tough thing to swallow. Calling Korean and Vietnam veterans baby killers. Spitting on returning troops. Not paying soldiers for risking their lives in previous battles.

Military and Movies

Saw a movie, Stop Loss. It was a tough movie. Basically, the US Government said, "No, you can’t go just yet. Yes, you fulfilled your country’s duty. However, we just need you for a little longer." This last year the Academy Award winner was for movie call the Hurt Locker. It’s about bomb demolition specialist that goes back into the fray. It reminds me of part of the movie Black Hawk Down. At the end of the movie, one of the Rangers grabs a quick bite to eat and heads back into Mogadishu.  

Not Our Best Moment

There is something basic—very basic about the human condition. Here people can be so unkind to others. Regular people--you and me--with very noble intention to serve is rebuked and betrayed. A person consciously decides to withstand all the difficulties and fight for cause that is bigger than selves.  Yet return to with such. . .crap.  Just basic Crap. Fighting for your country, fighting for something bigger. They return--not to a hero’s welcome--but to crap, piss, and spit.It makes one give pause to stepping into the fray.

Scaling Mountains

This was not a country's best moments. Yet, when you see hero types, the unsung heroes that strap on and gets back in the fray. No fanfare. No medals. No rewards. Just the knowledge that they helped another. They climbed mountains and built something wonderful. This is what heroes are. You realize, "Hey, there is something more. I am part of his/her team, I am part of the human race. You realize you, too, can be a rock climber. I am part of that genome. I got hero in me, too." 

Green Angels Among Us

At times, we are faced with ugliness. When desperation and evil stares in the face, I find solace that others had the gravitas to be bigger than stupid individuals, hurt feelings, and displaced rage. They were able to stand up and step up to be bigger. To get higher, we need to remember on Memorial Day, we stand on the shoulders of giants.They are our base, our foundation.

Emissary Goats sent to Azazel

Who's Fault Is It Now? In Leviticus 16:8-10, Emissary goats--Scapegoats--were sent to Azazel.

Stupidity happens. Injustice occurs. Intolerance and Scapegoating is a historical fact. First it was immigrants for the country’s woes. It was the Indians. Then Asians. The Jews. Now it’s the Mexicans. Blaming someone else for the society's problem is not a new tactic. 

If we can remember, these scapegoating tactics were used against Jews, homosexuals, and anyone un-uberman-like. The United States fought World War II to stop concentration camps and the whole extermination of a people.

Before calling the kettle you know, let's not get too big-headed. America is not within its own evils. Slavery of Africans, taking of Native Americans lands and cultures, and internment camps of the Japanese Americans. Lets not forget Fred Korematsu and other Civil Rights leaders. Remember J. Adams? How about B. Franklin? T. Jefferson? G. Washington and the other signatories of the Declaration of Independence. You are right this what American soldiers fought and died for.

One could say it’s the politicians' fault. But that too would be the same scapegoating. French Revolution said that it was the riches fault for everything. Thanks Charles Dickens f Tale of Two Cities.

Before doing this I am reminded of not a well-known Jewish holiday, Erev Yom Kippur. Yom Kippur is a big day to the Hebrews. Yom Kippur is a day for atoning for the sins against God. The day before Yom Kippur is Erev Yom Kippur. On this day people apologize and ask forgiveness from friends, relatives, and acquaintances to heal hurt feelings. In other words, before we ask Forgiveness from God, we ask it from each other. 

So What Do We Do?

Really, I am not sure.Wish I had the answer. I believe in the Sir Galahad theory. Before doing this, perhaps we can remember no one wants to be sent Azazel as emissary goats. Perhaps we can remember Erev Yom Kippur before we battle in the name of God. Perhaps we will not need to remember so many on this hallowed day

Possible Answer: Be an Eternal Flame

Fight for the causes you believe in. Stand up before the fight begins. If one can’t do that, then feel in your heart.  In time, we may learn that we are all connected. In time, we may be friends. Maybe in time we learn to eat, play, and celebrate together.  Dalai Lama said that we need more festivals. Maybe this is true. Eat and celebrate together. We get to see our neighbor in the eye. We need to see that fire for life. We got to be that Eternal Flame.

Sweeping changes may be needed. Flood, plague, and fire have been used for the cleaning of house. Right now our world is bleeding and BP can’t seem to plug up this hole. Spilling of our oceans is killing us and our world. Volcanoes are spewing ash in the sky. Earthquakes are saying that there's a time for change. Don’t want to get Armageddon -ish. It’s not my thing. Death happens to us all. What I am saying is that we should remember--and more importantly--learn from the past. You know the rest of the saying.

Another Possible Solution: Marine Motto Semper Fidelis means Always Faithful. Faith is defined as a fidelity to one's promise. According to Merriman-Webster dictionary Faith does not simply define "belief and trust and loyalty God." It stands as an allegiance to duty and others. It is our duty. Our duty in believing as people--and more importantly--as a person that we (I) can and should do better. On this Memorial Day, the Fallen have given “. . .the last full measure of devotion”—Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address.

We need to remember. It is our duty to remember. It is our duty to respect. To stand up and be bigger than ourselves.  Perhaps with this, this simple belief and acceptance that we are more similar than different, then maybe we can fix these things hurting ourselves and our world.

First it is a feeling.  A recognition of right and wrong. Your soul will tell you what is. Just have to listen. A thought will manifest itself to a belief. Next an action.

Another Solution: Remembering

If we can remember “It is for us the living rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced.” Gettysburg Address, Lincoln again. 

Saw a movie (Yes, another movie) Taking Chance. A simple story about a Marine volunteering to do Escort Duty for a Fallen Soldier. He is met acts of kindness and respect on their journey home. So let me be simple and start. Russell, Mike C., M. Jones, Marvin, Dad, and others in the military--Thank you on this hallowed day, Memorial Day.

Memorial Day: I Hear You, Dad

Just finished DVD. Taking Chance. Its movie about a fallen Marine named Chance. It was a story about a Marine military analyst, played by Kevin Bacon, that volunteered to take back Chance home to his parents. It was a story about how ordinary people not knowing this fallen soldier would display acts of kindness and respect. A airline attendant bumping the escort to first class, a flight attendant giving a crucifix to the escort, the flight line standing in respect, and so on.

Memorial Day is a week away. Can’t help think of my own father. He was a Marine. He passed away too. He’s in the Philippines now. I have never seen his funeral. It has been tucked away for some time. Still haven’t watched it. Not really ready too. It has been several years and I still haven’t. My brother has a giant cross tattoo on his arm. For some time, I never knew it was my Father. 

Did not leave on good terms with my Dad and it has always bothered me. He was a smart, intelligent man. A Closer, too. A Dreamer. Passionate. Driven. Strong. Courageous. Hard-Headed, too. I get that from him. I had some issues with him that I am not ready to share. I think of him often. I pushed out of my head for awhile. Some things I needed to do. I have Forgiven him for stuff that happened, but I haven’t given him the respect I believe need to do. As a young man, I didn't see things the way he did. He was my Dad. He loved my Brother and he said somethings that were very inciteful. Looking back I wished that I listened more. He brought me places. He taught me things. 

Was angry with him for some time. I was angry at myself for not being there for him. Blamed him for stuff. Some stuff was warranted. Others not. He loved me. I know this now. I have always known. He was no saint. He had his faults. Like all of do. Myself included. 

I sense his presence now and then. He's watching over me. Thank you for giving me the freedom to me. I remember the things you have written. They still mean the world. I am proud of you, too.

Think of my half-brother Mike. Did know know until I was eleven years old. He had another son. Made some attempts to find out where he is buried. Its fallen on deaf ears. Going to push the issue soon. Just will have to do this alone.  I think it is something that needs to be done. Its not me, but I think its my Dad’s spirit that has been nudging for awhile. I get this feeling that I need to do this for my Father, our Father.

Don't know why I chose to pick up this DVD, but I did. Don't know why I decided to watch it, but I did. I believe now I know why I did these things. Thanks, Dad, I am listening.

Next Monday is Memorial Day and I believe that I need to pay a visit. Need to say, Hello to Marv and Mike. Need to say Hi to Tatay. 

Tatay watches Rochelle. Marv is with Mary at Riverside National. My father’s son is in Arvin somewhere. My father is in the PI. Never said goodbye. I am sorry for that. 

Well, to those that have stepped up in the military. Thank You. Thank you Russell, Michael Crescitelli, Ricky Christiansen, Uncle Robert Barr, Tammy’s ex, Brandon, Terri Jones. Thank you for everything.

Marv and Tatay I will visit you soon.

Dad, I love you. You are missed. I still pray for you. I will bring you with me to see Mike.