Mindset
Remember
“In Flanders Fields, the poppies blow. Between the crosses row on row. That marks our place, and in the sky, the larks still bravely singing fly, scarce heard among the guns below.” John McCrae
What did the men and women of the great generation fight for?
Why did so many give their lives, often without question, to the mission of the moment?
They were scared and did not know what awaited them on the other side of an ocean’s journey, but they went despite their uncertainty and trepidation.
The call of duty.
What required such sacrifice on the part of so many?
Numerous fascist regimes had taken power over their people and had decided to extend their power over the territories and belief systems of neighbors. Extending borders and taking land uninvited and unimpeded.
Indifference had been the nemesis of those who ignored the coming of such peril. Many, until it was in their face, could go about their business unaffected by the perils of those unknown.
Why worry about someone else’s problem?
Hitler and Mussolini promised their citizenry prosperity and a return to greatness, and they delivered until they did not.
We should be careful when the illusion of prosperity deludes the factors that conspire to create it.
The facade of such totalitarianism eventually cracked and crumbled under the forces of those who would not acquiesce, but only after so much loss of life.
Young men and women at the zenith of their lives turned to dust in resistance to the forces of evil.
With the effects of the Great Depression on Japan’s economy, and impressed by the rise of the military-led authoritarian governments of Germany and Italy, Japan also chose to explore its regime of conquest.
Unfortunately, an isolationist sentiment of much of the American public stalled any resistance other than imposed sanctions. Only when attacked did the full extent of the power of America’s complete dedication to resistance rain retribution upon the axis of evil.
Once again, at the cost of so many.
In remembering, we should not forget that many lives were lost, and much human tragedy occurred until all who stood to lose their freedom awoke from their slumber and joined the effort.
The lessons learned are easily forgotten in time. Forgotten is the ignorance that allowed such evil to perpetuate itself unchecked and unfettered.
Forgotten is that many would have continued to ignore the spectacle were it not for the audacity of these regimes and their belief that they could reach wherever they pleased, do whatever they pleased, and no one would stop them.
There was great darkness before there was light. Many lost before it would end.
“Indifference, to me, is the epitome of evil. The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it’s indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it’s indifference….
.…and the opposite of life is not death, it’s indifference.”
Elie Wiesel
On this day of remembrance, do not just remember those lost in times of war and their great sacrifice.
Remember that much of what they sacrificed could have been avoided perhaps by the simple act of our attention.
Stand up for what you believe.
Be ready to support others in such a cause.
Pay attention, not ignorance.
Always strive to elevate your character.
Pursue a worthy ideal.
Today, we remember.
Tomorrow let’s not regret, let’s strive to do better.
#LestWeForget
