Decoration Day.
Joan d'Arc burned at Rouen 1431.
Alexander Pope died 1744.
Voltaire died 1778.
Alfred Austin born 1835.
Here is the nation God has builded by our hands. What shall we do
with it? Who stands ready to act again and always in the spirit of
this day of reunion and hope and patriotic fervor? The day of our
country's life has but broadened into morning. Do not put uniforms
by. Put the harness of the present on. Lift your eyes to the great
tracts of life yet to be conquered in the interest of righteous
peace, of that prosperity which lies in a people's hearts and
outlasts all wars and errors of men.
--Woodrow Wilson.
Cover them over with beautiful flowers:
Deck them with garlands these brothers of ours;
Lying so silent, by night and by day,
Sleeping the years of their manhood away;
* * * * *
Give them the laurels they lost with their life.
--Will Carleton.
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for
his friends.
--John 15. 13.
My Father, as I pause this day to think of the brave men and women who
have given their lives for the sake of others, may I be thankful for
them. May I remember that noble deeds and kind words are never lost,
but that self may block the way to justice. O Father, make war to
cease! and lead us to victories that are won through peace. Amen.