I have said before that we cannot celebrate the great gift of life without also meditating upon the mystery of death. Today we remember those who have given their lives for the cause of freedom, the protection of their country and their fellow man. In a very special way today I remember Lance Cpl. Darin Settle, a very good friend of mine from high school who died in Iraq two years ago:
And Lee McCoy who lost his battle with cancer last week. Lee was a Vietnam Vet who served on the USS Pomodon SS486 submarine. He was a good friend and collegue of my parents’ in the ag media industry. See a tribute to Lee here and here.
For more on Darin see my previous post Lance Cpl. Darin Thomas Settle. You can also view and sign Darin’s legacy guest book or his fallen heroes guest book.
I saw an interesting documentary last week about a military chaplain who was killed in Vietnam, Servant of God Fr. Vincent Capodanno, The Grunt Padre:
Paul has a great memorial day video on his post, Enjoy Your Memorial Day. Yes, enjoy your Memorial Day, your boat rides, barbecue and beer, but be sure to stop at some point and remember what this day is really about.
For our fallen soldiers:
God our Father,
Your power brings us to birth,
Your providence guides our lives,
and by Your command we return to dust.Lord, those who die still live in Your presence,
their lives change but do not end.
I pray in hope for my family,
relatives and friends,
and for all the dead known to You alone.In company with Christ,
Who died and now lives,
may they rejoice in Your kingdom,
where all our tears are wiped away.
Unite us together again in one family,
to sing Your praise forever and ever.Amen.
From JPII’s “Meditations on the Book of Genesis at the Threshold of the Sistine Chapel”
This End is also the summit of transparency
such is the path of all generations.“Non omnis moriar” (Not all of me will die).
What is imperishable in me
now stands face to face with Him Who Is!
No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends (Jn. 15:13)