Memorial Day

Traditionally, Memorial Day is set aside to remember and honor soldiers of past wars. Again this year, we also reflect on the sacrifices still being made in wars and conflicts worldwide today. In our time, Memorial Day is not only about honoring the war dead, but also those whose lives are on the line today and tomorrow on a variety of fronts, domestic and foreign.

I am also reminded of those for whom the conflict continues, even though they are home with their families; those for whom the fighting and terror is still very real as they lie in their beds, who struggle to re-establish normalcy and to remember their past selves. I wonder if "Memorial Day" means the same thing to them and to their families?

By no means do I intend to diminish the intention of the day to pay respect to those warriors who sacrificed themselves for our freedom. I wish to broaden the vision to include those whose lives were forever changed against their wills -- who did NOT choose to fight, kill and possibly die. They deserve a special place in this Memorial Day rememberance.

And I remember also those who chose NOT to fight, who had the courage to stand for their convictions against the coercive power and legal right of the government to conscript them. They also stand for freedom in their own way. They are not the cowards they are held to be, far from it.

These days of conflict afford us the opportunity to serve with conviction, and stand for our beliefs. Each one of us fights for freedom in our own way, and our world needs us all.