Memorial Day, the last Monday in May and a US Holiday, began as a day to remember those soldiers lost in the Civil War. It was later expanded to include all men and women who died in the service to their country, and many people use this day to remember all their departed loved ones. Every day we are heart-wrenchingly reminded of the sacrifice our brave soldiers make for the rest of us when we hear the names of the latest soldiers lost in Iraq or Afghanistan. Those aches are too raw, so I’m looking back to “our” era, the Napoleonic War and the War of 1812.
The Napoleonic Series has an article about one Battalion in 1809, listing the names of the officers and the biographical data they were able to piece together on as many of them as possible, lest they be entirely forgotten. (look under Biographies) They include men like Captain Joseph Bradbey, who among other things, was wounded when a general ordered his company of 470 men to attack French forces of over 2500. Bradbey was lucky. Most of his company died that day. Another was Lt. Charles Ward, unique among the biographies because no information existed of him before or after his military service. It is as if he existed only as a soldier.
The Napoleonic Series article quotes a lyric from a Stan Rogers song, “Macdonell on the Heights:”
So you know what it is to scale the Heights and fall just short of fame
And have not one in ten thousand know your name.
Stan Rogers, a Canadian folk singer, wrote this song of an officer who fought valiantly in the war of 1812. Canadian Lt. Col. John Macdonell lost his life during the Battle of Queenstown Heights. Seeing his name engraved on a plague on a rock near where he fell inspired Rogers to compose this song. Rogers lost his own life tragically at the age of 33, in a fire aboard Air Canada Flight 797 at Cincinnati airport. Here’s a YouTube tribute for both Macdonell and Rogers:
About 4,000 soldiers died in action in the War of 1812 (another 20,000 died from disease). Estimates of soldiers lost in the Napoleonic War are about 2.5 million, a staggering figure. When lists of casualties were printed, only the officers were listed. Can you imagine how many mothers, sisters, sweethearts, waited and hoped and ultimately despaired of ever knowing the fate of their private or sergeant?
The US Military honors those soldiers who previously (now with DNA testing almost all can be identified) could not be identified, at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington Cemetery. Today, as on every Memorial Day, a wreath will be placed at the Tomb, to honor all soldiers.
I’ll bet each of us have lost someone tragically, maybe not to war, but someone who “falls short of fame,” someone who led an ordinary life and who lives on only in the memories of those who loved him or her in life.
My choice is my cousin, Jimmy Getman, a graduate of the US Coast Guard Academy, who died of a sudden heart attack in his 30s while working long hours to ready the boat he commanded for service during a very frigid winter in the 1970s. I just searched the internet and found nothing about him except a citation of an article he co-wrote in 1976. But I remember him from long before. I remember him as older and smarter than me and clever enough to fix my doll’s shoe. He was a hero to me that day and ever since.
Who do you want to remember this Memorial Day?
Don’t forget to visit me tomorrow on Diane’s Blog for the announcement of last week’s winner of Gallant Officer, Forbidden Lady, and on Thurday as well.
I’m remembering my late husband, who served his country faithfully and honorably through 20 years of service in the United States Air Force.
In memory of my big brother, John, who died when he was 25, over 30 years ago. He died just 4 months after discovering a heart disease that came out of nowhere, leaving behind a 6 month baby girl and a beautiful, young widow who would find out the week before he died that she was carrying his second child. You are dearly loved and missed, John. Your little rosebud, Amy, is a beautiful wife and mother, and has given you two adorable grandsons. Your son, Johnny, is a man in every sense of the word and when your blue eyes shine from his handsome face, we are all reminded of the greatness of God. We have every confidence that we will all be together again. Until then, pray for us, as we continue to fight the good fight.
PJ, Huge hugs to you. I’m proud we had men like your husband looking out for us.
danlovesmary, your brother’s death sounds so much like my cousin’s. Heartwrenching. We have to believe they are looking down on their children and have been with them always.
Thanks, Diane, for the touching article. Yesterday the Boy/Cub Scouts of Oahu joined together at the National Cemetery of the Pacific to place flags and leis at every gravesite. It was an inspiring site.
I would like to remember Capt Mike Neumer, a friend from my first assignment in Boston. He died from cancer too young in life. Despite his illness, Mike remained upbeat and taught us how to live life (he would have entered the Mr. Romance contest at RT just to have fun!) Mike is buried in Arlington National Cemetery near his father, a Korean War Veteran, who was killed by a drunk driver on Father’s Day – 6 months before Mike received his commission. Fate can be cruel but at least father and son are together.
My dear friend Flo, who passed only last August. She had a rare form of leukemia that she was managing, but undiagnosed heart complications ended her battle. A day doesn’t goes by that I don’t think of something I want to tell her or talk to her about. We met at church, and discovered we were both LOTR enthusiasts, devoured romance novels, delighted in cooking, and enjoyed history. Funnily enough, though we liked the same things we liked different aspects. She had a deliciously dark sense of humor that never failed to lift my spirits. I felt safe bewailing this or that because she would never minimalize, which allowed me to let go. Her life was not easy, but she never lost her faith. She taught me about being gracious and accepting. I miss her every day.
God bless our military men and women and their families that sacrifice so much, so I might enjoy freedom that I fear I too often take for granted.
What a lovely post, Diane! I actually just got back from taking flowers to the cemetery, which I do every year, Wreaths for my grandparents, great-grandparents, aunt, and my best friend from high school/college who died too young at 29. It’s really quite nice out there on Memorial Day, with all the families and the bright new flowers–there was even a man playing the bagpipes at the war memorial. Very touching.
Now I have to make appetizers for a cook-out tonight!
Kim and Judy, cancer is still one of those thieves who steal life away prematurely.
Judy, I’m so sorry you lost such a wonderful friend.
Kim, I’ll bet watching those scouts was very inspirational!
Amanda, what a good tradition to take flowers to the cemetery on this day.
Enjoy the cookout!
As soon as I saw your post title, Diane, I knew that you were referring to the Macdonnell song. So I’m remembering Stan Rogers, an artist I never met except through his music. But his music has inspired and uplifted me for years. I’m also placing in special memory all those Napoleonic War dead who were never identified. How sad for their families. Thanks for reminding me of the blessings of soldiers and songwriters; both contribute to our freedom.
I’m remembering my father who fought in Korea and turned down the medals he was awarded for bravery because as he said “You shouldn’t get medals for doing your job.” I’m sure the men of his unit that he saved by drawing fire on his position so they could withdraw and the men he risked his life over and over again to carry from the battlefield are certainly glad he “did his job.” Everything I know about honor, courage and duty I learned from my Pops.
LaVerne, I was one of the “ten thousand” who didn’t know Stan Rogers’ name and it did strike me that he’d died so tragically. His voice is wonderful! And I second your wish to honor the forgotten soldiers who died in the Napoleonic War.
Louisa, what a great man your father was! How proud you must have been growing up. I, too, learned about honor, courage, and duty from my father.
Today I am remembering my Daddy who was a tail gunner on the crew of “The Lady Luck” in the US Army Air Corp in WWII. He was the fifth plane over on D-Day and succombed to a undiscover heart problem that was a result of flying in an unpressurized plane for out country during the war. I am proud of him and his picture from the war in a frame with his “Distinguished Flying Cross” hang in front of me on what my children referred to my wall of glory.
Susan, I’m glad we are remembering your dad here. What a valiant man doing his duty at a pivotal time in history.
Mine sounds odd, but I remember the near miss my dad had–drafted, but was getting married; called up again, but now had a baby on the way (fewer than nine months apart, those two events, btw).
So glad he didn’t have to go through any of that, thanks to my arrival.
Thanks for this, Diane.
I would like to remember my father Sanford Brr Lane, His Father Harry Lane and Harrys wife Fay Lane, Sanford married Letha KIdd, and they had 5 children, One died at birth. Kathy Jacki Terrill Tim Terrill and Timothy have the lane name and Kathy married Larry Collins and Jacki Married Thomas Wisher. Terrill married Ellen Oberhack and Tim married Mary, I do not know Marys Maiden name. Our lines go back to John William Colonel 1777 and we came from Ireland to Ontario Canada then on to North Dakota and on to Oregon. My father was a great man. He worked as a Owner of a one truck trucking company and operated between Los Angeles and Seattle. He Married Letha Lane whos Father was Charles Kidd, whos father was Albert Kidd whos father was Clarissa Keys whos father was Hester Garland whos father was William Garland II whos father was William Garland. One of our family members was be headed by the queen of England. Our history can be found at Google, Deep Roots and Tall Trees, Decendents of Colonel William Garland. We were one of the earliest immigrants to the 13 Colonies. My father was a hard working man that loved his family. Not one in Ten Thousand Know your name.