This shot was taken at the Kings County Memorial Day Parade, one of the oldest in the nation now in its' 148th year, at Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn, N.Y.. This dog lost a leg from a land mine and they promoted him to sergeant in the Marine Corps. I've been going there every year for the past 20+ years and will be posting various shots from those years on this thread.
I never liked that bumper sticker "All Gave Some, Some Gave the All" as I don't think a soldier goes into battle saying "I'm only going to give some of myself". So I am changing it to reflect what I think is the proper homage due to those braver than I. I always found the following poem a great reflection and very fitting tribute:
These did not pass in selfishness;
they died for all mankind;
They died to build a better world
for all who stay behind;
And we who hold their memory dear,
and bring them flowers today,
Should consecrate ourselves once more
to live and die as they.
They were defenders of the faith
and guardians of the truth;
That you and I might live and love,
they gladly gave their youth;
And we who set this day apart
to honor them who sleep
Should pledge ourselves to hold the faith
they gave their lives to keep.
If tears are all we shed for them,
then they have died in vain;
If flowers are all we bring them,
forgotten they remain;
If by their courage we ourselves
to courage are not led,
Then needlessly these graves have closed
above our heroes dead.
To symbolize our love with flowers
is not enough to do;
We must be brave as they were brave,
and true as they were true.
They died to build a better world,
and we who mourn today
Should consecrate ourselves once more
to live and die as they.
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