Memorial Day Speech (2002)

This speech was delivered on Memorial Day, 2002.

It is difficult to do justice to the subject of heroes. Those who have long been acquainted with their exploits may rightly pronounce our praises as insufficient. Those who are unacquainted with our heroes may pronounce everything to be exaggerated, for people often envy those they cannot equal.

But, through their valor, our forefathers handed our country down free to every succeeding generation. Our fathers enlarged this country until it stretched between the two great oceans, then bequeathed their work of love to us – their sons and daughters. They now look to those of us who still enjoy the strength and vigor of our days to improve even these successes. We are called to stand ready to answer every need of war and of peace.

I will not recite each heroic exploit by which this country was created or the resolute defenses we have made in the past in the cause of liberty because your own knowledge is most likely greater than mine. But by what policy, by what conduct, by what means have we risen to this height of glory and power? The answers are of vital importance if we hope to continue in our forefathers’ success.

The form of government that we possess is the envy of our neighbors and a model to many others. Its present form is unique to our country. It’s governing is committed, not to a few, but to the whole body of the people and is thus a democracy. No matter how different we may be in our social standing, we all enjoy the same general equality our laws provide. We may each be honored to the degree that we excel.

We leave our borders open, allowing any to enter, driving no stranger away whom either self-improvement or curiosity brought among us. We do not fear any enemy hurting us by seeing what is never concealed. We do not place so great a confidence in the preparations and artifices of war as in the native warmth of our souls impelling us to action.

Every person among us is concerned, not only with his or her own affairs, but also with those of the public. Because we do not believe that words are prejudicial to actions we pass the soundest judgment, and are quick at catching the right understanding of things. Rather, we fear not being duly prepared by previous debate before we are obliged to proceed to execution. In this consists our distinguishing excellence, that in the hour of action we show the greatest courage, and yet debate beforehand the necessity of our measures. The courage of others is the result of ignorance; deliberation makes them cowards. Our veterans, those who undoubtedly must be accepted as having the greatest souls, who are most acutely aware of the miseries of war and the sweets of peace, are not the least deterred from facing danger for the right cause.

We also come before other nations in acts of benevolence. What other nation has spent itself in the rebuilding of its former enemies? Who exceeds our desire and ability to feed the poor and miserable of the world?

In affairs of war we excel our enemies. Ours is now the only nation in the world whose bite is worse than its bark. Our fleets have opened every sea, every land has been penetrated by our armies. But the strength of a nation does not lie only in its weaponry or technology. Of what use are strong fleets if we are plagued with internal divisions? Is there any physical defense that cannot and has not been breached at some time by a valiant enemy? It is by courage and prudence that the invasions of foreign armies are repelled; and by unanimity, sobriety, and justice, that domestic sedition is prevented. States fortified by the strongest bulwarks have been often seen to yield to force from without, or to tumults from within. Only an exact military discipline, and a steady observance of civil policy are sure barriers against these evils.

We have come today to honor our dead, these victims of their own valor. Scorning the sting of death, they fought and bravely died in the just defense of our country. I am persuaded that every one of those who survive is still ready to sacrifice their lives in the same cause. The reason I have enlarged so much on our national points of merit is to give clear proof that in the present war we have more at stake than our tormentors whose public advantages are not so valuable. I also wish to illustrate by actual evidence how great a commendation is due to them who we now venerate. For the accolades with which we celebrate our state have been earned by the bravery of these, and of men like these.

The means by which these brave souls came to death is the surest evidence of their merit. The evidence began in their lives, and was completed by their deaths. It is a debt of justice to pay superior honor to men who have devoted their lives in fighting for their country, even if they are inferior to others in every virtue except that of valor. Their last service erases many of their former demerits for the Scriptures tell us that there is no higher expression of love than when a man lays down his life for another.

What their hearts and minds told them must be done, they trusted their own valor to accomplish. They considered it more glorious to defend their loved ones, and die in the attempt, than to yield and live. They fled the reproach of cowardice and presented their bodies to the shock of battle. Fearing, they marched on. Triumphant in hope, they died in suicidal charges and thus discharged the duty which brave men owe to their country. Those men knew their duty, and in the moments of action thought it dishonorable that their country should stand in need of any thing their valor could provide. Bestowing their lives on the public, they have received a praise that will never decay. They have a sepulchre that is most illustrious. Not this place where their bones now lie, but in their fame which we must preserve. The whole earth is the sepulchre of such illustrious men. On every occasion where honor dictates we must use either word or act to eternally remember their sacrifice.

Those of us who now survive them are left with the business of praying for our country. But it is also our duty to preserve the same spirit and warmth of courage against our enemies. From this very moment let us emulate these noble patterns. Only greatness of soul never grows old. How do we achieve greatness of soul? Jesus was once asked what is the greatest command? Since those asking the question were lawyers, it was expected that He would give a long, perambulating answer full of technicalities and loopholes that would eventually say nothing. But Jesus looked them in the eye and gave a simple yet powerful answer. “You will love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and strength.” He said. He continued, “There is another command just like it – you will love your neighbor as yourself.” The greatest achievement of man is to follow these two commands: to love our God and our neighbor. These that we now honor did exactly that. If we wish to honor them, we will do the same.

@copyright 2006 - Kevin Pauley. All rights reserved