Fielder’s Choice - Barry Burleson


Thursday, May 31, 2007
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Fielder’s Choice
By Barry Burleson

Tearful tribute

The Memorial Day weekend often catches us thinking of the lake, the swimming pool, grilling, picnics, trips to the beach.

Sometimes we forget the true purpose of the holiday. I was caught up in extracurricular activities myself over the weekend - baseball and such - but then Sunday night I was channel surfing and came across the 2007 National Memorial Day Concert on PBS. It was great.

The multi-award-winning National Memorial Day Concert is the premier memorial service for the United States, honoring the sacrifice that so many American servicemen and women have made for their country throughout our nation’s history. With the war in Iraq now in its fifth year and thousands of U.S. troops still stationed in Afghanistan, the brave military personnel who put their lives on the line to serve our country are of vital concern to many Americans.

The program featured the hallowed burial ground of Arlington National Cemetery, one of our nation’s most important shrines. It contains the remains of more than 260,000 brave men and women who have given their lives for their country. They include presidents and Supreme Court justices, astronauts and noted historical figures, Medal of Honor recipients and Five Star Officers, along with more than 4,700 unidentified soldiers represented by the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Arlington is also the resting place for approximately 10 percent of the more than 3,500 soldiers who lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan and who are eligible and selected to be buried there.

The portion of the 2007 National Memorial Day Concert that caused my eyes to moisten and my mind to totally turn to the meaning of Memorial Day was a segment on a particular soldier killed at age 20 about a year ago in the war in Iraq.

His mom goes to the cemetery once a week, sits by his tombstone and talks to her son via the written word. She writes and writes. It helps her to cope with her tremendous loss. She was even there in the winter months, sitting on the snow-covered ground and bundled in the warmest clothes possible.

Academy-award winning actress Dianne Wiest read some of the mother’s letters during a portion of the Sunday night program. It was heart-wrenching. I’m not sure I had ever been so touched.

When finished, the mom was on the front row in the audience. They shared a hug and tears.

Perhaps the purpose of the National Memorial Day Concert is best expressed by the words distinguished actor Charles Durning spoke during the 2004 program:

“In this moment of remembering, we grieve for those whose lives have been taken from us. We mourn their loss tonight. Our grief is a fresh and agonizing wound. Each of the fallen is someone’s precious loved one. All across America, we lift up our hearts to you who have to try and adjust to the sudden news of your beloved’s death. We know you must bear this burden of grief in the most intimate and personal way. And we want you to know that we embrace you in our hearts and prayers.

“We see their names and see their faces... we connect to their stories... and through cherished sacred moments relived in recollections of them, we recognize each as precious in our sight. Though the family’s loss cannot be undone, the fallen are not lost to us as long as we summon each one back in our hearts and recall their smiles, their gestures, and their uniqueness. We grieve for them and recognize that their lives and dreams were sacrificed on our behalf.

“In remembrance and honor of each of them, let us courageously overcome our fears that so often isolate us from one another in grieving... and with loving kindness, find ways to reach out to console, comfort, and care for one another in these days of war. Through our profound grief, we affirm nothing will ever be able to separate us from the love and respect we offer to each of them. They are precious in our eyes; we honor them; and we love them.”

Here’s hoping you paused to remember the true meaning of Memorial Day.

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