Posted: 05/30/05 16:50
by Dave Mindeman
Senator Becky Lourey lost her son this week. It won't matter how or why. It will only hurt... deeply. Although we can never fully know the anguish in her heart, we stand with her -- all of us. There aren't any political statements to make, arguments to get into, or wartime legalities to debate... no, one of our young soldiers has fallen. And we salute him for his bravery, his courage, his honor, and his dedication to duty.
Minnesota has lost 22 young heroes. Debate over the reasons or the causes don't matter for them or for their families. They didn't ask for a war, but they fulfilled their duty. They had a job to do and they did it. Matt Lourey, like many fellow soldiers, signed up for a 2nd tour in Iraq. As we go into Memorial Day, it is time to pause a moment and honor their sacrifice. They serve both Red and Blue states and while we can disagree on the politics of it, we stand united in our appreciation and admiration of their devotion to their country and their comrades, and their dedication to service.
On Memorial Day, I always reflect back on two vacation moments that are, for me, frozen in time. The first occurred in Washington, D.C. One of the most moving sites in our national capital is Arlington National Cemetery. As one strolls the manicured rolling hills and absorbs the reality of row after row of white crosses in perfect order, one must pause and become deliberately aware of the personal story that lies behind each burial plot. As we strolled the grounds, deep in thought, a caisson with stately horses and perfectly choreographed soldiers moved in procession toward a final resting place for another soldier. The dignity of the moment impressed me and the special care and attention to detail made me feel proud.
The other moment occurred in Normandy, France. It was an anniversary date of the D-Day invasion - probably about the 45th - and we were just returning from a visit to the American cemetery at Omaha Beach. As we walked the beach and explored the bunkers that still stand ominously guarding the cliffs, I saw an old man seated near a precipice, his fixed gaze on the open sea. He was motionless. He wore a red beret and was leaning rather heavily on his cane. The ocean and the echo of gulls were the only sounds. But I wondered what else this old soldier heard in his private world. He could have been French, English, or American -- it didn't matter. For every soldier, war, once experienced must be a perpetual companion.
I would hope that all of our service people know that this country stands behind them 100%. We believe in them, and they constantly inhabit our thoughts and prayers. Too often, they hear the political rhetoric and misunderstand, thinking opposition to war is, somehow, a disrespect of them. Nothing could be farther from the truth.
We all stand with them, all of us. Some of us will continue to question the political machinery that put them all at risk. That, in reality, is our gift of support for them. We want them safe; we want them supported with the best American technology, and, most of all, we want them home..soon!
