Memorial Day Reflection

Chester Vernon Steele (1918-1943) who died at 25 years of age in World War II


A few days after my wife Carol and I wed in August 1970 in Greenville, S.C., we visited the Winchester National Cemetery in Winchester, Virginia, and the gravesite of her Uncle Chester Vernon Steele.

We stopped at the cemetery on our way to see some of Carol’s relatives who lived in her native land of Washington, Pennsylvania. Winchester National Cemetery lies about 80 miles west of Washington, D.C., and was established during the Civil War.

“Grandma and Grandpap wanted him buried where his grave would be taken care of,” Carol said of Chester Steele, a U.S. soldier who died in North Africa during World War II. He was the younger of two boys (and six girls) born to Carol’s maternal grandparents, Benjamin Newton Freeland Steele and Rose Ella White Steele.

A framed photograph of a smiling Uncle Chester wearing a military uniform sits on our mantel. I sometimes pause to view the image of a soldier who died before Carol was born. I’ve wondered what kind of man he would have become if he had lived to return to Pennsylvania.

I’ve often heard these sayings: “Freedom isn’t free” and “All gave some, but some gave all.”

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who died in our nation’s service. It’s about coming together to honor those who gave their all.

Here is a bit of Memorial Day history:

President Lyndon Johnson in 1966 declared Waterloo, N.Y., the birthplace of Memorial Day, but it’s difficult to prove the origins of the day. The observance probably had many separate beginnings. Planned or spontaneous gatherings of people to honor the war dead in the 1860s tapped into the general human need to honor our dead. The movement culminated in U.S. General John A. Logan’s May 5, 1868 official proclamation recognizing Memorial Day. The day was first observed on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. In 1873, New York became the first state to officially recognize the holiday, and by 1890, all northern states recognized Memorial Day. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their war dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war). Memorial Day is now celebrated in almost all states on the last Monday in May.

To remind Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day, the “National Moment of Remembrance” resolution was passed in Dec. 2000. The resolution asks that on Memorial Day at 3:00 p.m., local time, Americans voluntarily and informally observe in their own ways a moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to “Taps.” We are asked to set aside one day of the year for the nation to get together to remember, reflect and honor those who gave their all in service to their country.

Jesus, wearing a crown of thorns and a purple robe, once stood before Pilate, the Roman procurator of Judea. Pilate said, “Don’t you know I have the power to crucify you and the power to release you?”

Jesus said, “You have no authority over me at all, except what was given to you from above” (John 19:11). Jesus acknowledged that God instituted human government to provide order and protection.

Paul wrote, “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God” (Romans 13:1). However, when rulers tried to stop the New Testament church from preaching about Jesus, Peter and the apostles said, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).

God should be first and country second. But one’s country is important, and until “time is no more,” those who enjoy freedom of religion should respect God-ordained government.

“Freedom isn’t free.” Our nation sometimes defends our freedoms with military force and asks citizens – especially the young – to serve.

Uncle Chester’s photograph reminds me that some who served in our country’s military made “the ultimate sacrifice.” On Memorial Day, let’s honor those who gave their all.

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After reading “Memorial Day Reflection,” Elaine H. of South Carolina wrote in an e-mail to S. Crain on May 23, 2009:

Re: the National Moment of Remembrance

Shortly after lunch on Memorial Day, 2004, I read in Dear Abby about the 3 pm moment of remembrance. I suggested to Russ (her husband) that I thought it would be nice if he stood on our front porch and played “Taps” on his trumpet at 3 pm. His response was that the neighbors would think he was CRAZY!!

After thinking about it, though, he decided he wanted to do it. I called my cousin Fred, who lives less than a quarter mile from our house – our house is on a hill and so is Fred’s. I told Fred what Russ was going to do and that I thought if he and his wife Kate stood on their porch they would probably be able to hear the trumpet because the wind was blowing in their direction.

Now you need to know some background on this.

Fred was 86 years old at that time (he is now 91 and still going strong). Fred was a fighter pilot in WWII, shot down behind enemy lines, captured and put in a German prison camp. I’ve forgotten how long he was in prison, but I remember that Allied forces freed them just shortly before he was scheduled for execution.

Russ served in Vietnam. He was stationed in Korea and did periodic temporary duty in Vietnam as a sniper. He and some friends formed a band and entertained the troops in areas where it was too dangerous for the USO to go.

On that Memorial Day just before 3 pm, Fred and Kate drove up in our yard (this was too important to him to just stand on his porch and hope to hear the trumpet). He was wearing his cap with his military insignias on it. Fred, Kate and I stood at attention in the yard facing the porch where Russ stood and played “Taps.” It was a special moment – the patriotism and the emotion were indescribable. When Russ finished, we ALL had tears in our eyes, there were no words – no one could speak. Fred shook Russ’ hand and the look between them was something only two soldiers could share. I’m in tears now just thinking about it. WOW!

Elaine

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From: Steve Crain, Saturday, May 23, 2009 11:19 PM
To: Elaine H., Re: A reflection of my own

Elaine,

What a wonderful story you sent! It brought tears to my eyes. Perhaps you will let me use your account of the event at some time in my writing? I would give you credit. Okay?

Tell (your husband) Russ thanks for his service. I have a site www.vietnamdrawings.blogspot.com that shows some drawings I did in Vietnam in 1971. Perhaps Russ might like to look at them?...Again, thanks and let me know about permission to use your story, if you will.

Steve C.

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On May 23, 2009, at 11:48 PM, Elaine H. wrote to Steve Crain:

You are welcome to use the story.

I’m sorry to say, my dear, sweet Russ passed away August 18, 2005 – 5 days before our 30th wedding anniversary.