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Memorial Day – Jon Eugene
When I was young, I thought of Memorial Day the same way most of America does now: the beginning of summer, fun, barbecues, etc. I thought that way for a long time.
Then came the day I was drafted. I saw the devastation war brings to all participants on both sides, to the families and the land on either side of any conflict, even if the conflict is overseas. It brought me to an understanding of the third verse of the song, “America, the Beautiful.”
Oh, beautiful, for heroes proved
Through liberating strife;
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life.
From that understanding, I came to understand the true meaning of Memorial Day. It is not, as some would have you believe, a time to thank active-duty military or veterans for their service (although it is not inappropriate to do so, especially if the person has lost limbs or minds).
It is, rather meant to thank and honor those who fell in battle, either during the battle or after, fighting to save the Great American Experiment. They did so that we, who survive, may make “a more perfect Union.” It is not perfect yet, and we need to work on it, support it, and defy those who would make the sacrifices of so many meaningless.
The chorus to the first verse of “America, the Beautiful” says:
America, America,
God shed his grace on thee.
And whether you believe in God or not, it cannot be denied that our land is blessed with abundance of all kinds.
The chorus continues:
And crown Thy good
With brotherhood
From sea to shining sea.
And that is where we are most singularly lacking: brotherhood. Why are we so divided? Why do we not work to make sure everyone has the opportunity to succeed? Why do we not exhibit and live in brotherhood?
Those who have died in battle or its aftermath, were no more perfect than us, may not have believed in total equality or brotherhood, but we need to believe in their underlying concept of the United States. We’d like to believe that they believed as we do, to make a more perfect union.
Our veterans were white, black, Asian, Polynesian, Hispanic, Amerindian; they were all those and more. They, individually, may have been separated in life by their upbringing and beliefs, but are one now in death, and they are worthy of our honor for their service and the sacrifice they made for us and our country. It is said, “all gave some; some gave all.” This is a true statement and all who served, in whatever capacity, gave something, and they are worthy.
This Memorial Day, I ask that you forego some of your celebrations, the barbecues, the travel, to pause to acknowledge the sacrifices others made so that you can have your celebrations, the barbecues, the travel. Honor those who have demonstrated the ultimate demonstration of love, to die for others, for “America, the Beautiful.”
Forego the anger with those who would divide us from making America beautiful, a more perfect union. Work with those who would make this "a more perfect union."
Happy Memorial Day
I made a grave error in the story posted this morning and in the one to be posted tomorrow!
I wrote the stories, but Mat Twassel edited and illustrated them and somehow I forgot to credit him with both actions. Believe me, it is not easy editing someone like me, but he and I are both perfectionists, so it works out well.
So, here are the proper credits:
Story by Jon Eugene
Editing and Illustrations by Mat Twassel
Errors by Jon.
Jon Eugene
I know I concluded the story cycle, A Photographer's Fantasy: Sweet Calendar Girls, last week, but a couple of the characters demanded a little bit more attention. Jamie and Jordan were especially adamant. So, tomorrow (5/31) and Thursday (6/1) will include a couple of side stories. I hope you like them.
Oh, and Gina has demanded that I include her story, too, but I haven't quite finished that one yet, so it may be a couple of days before it can get posted. She's standing here, whispering in one ear while Lou is whispering in the other! So, I hope you have enjoyed the story cycle and all of the illustrations Mat has made for it. He's also editing and adding his illustrations for the side stories, so give him some love, too!
Jon
One of the things I really hate about some authors is that they will start a story, get the reader all involved and invested in the characters, then not finish the story.
I hate that, so when I write a multiple chapter story, I wait until I have it finished. That's what's happened with my newest offering: I was busy with lots of stuff (including a series of stories with illustrator, Mat Twassel,) that this newest story, Sweet Calendar Girls, took a long time. Of course, adding to the journey was editing, also by Mat, and the inclusion of illustrations for each chapter.
I've decided to publish the first chapter, along with a foreword, today, then a chapter or two each day until we get all 11 chapters published. There will also be a Chapter 12, which will be the illustrations of the calendar, along with some words from each of the women about what they were either thinking or feeling or what their reactions were when they saw the pictures.
I hope you like it, but for those who've asked me when the next Jon and Lou story would be available, I hope the wait was worth it. It being an illustrated story is a departure for me, but I, personally, love the work Mat has done. I hope you do, too!
Jon Eugen
Well, for those of you who are waiting for a new "Lou & Jon" story, I'm working on it, although it will probably not have a whole lot of Lou in it. She needs some space, she tells me. In the meantime, I've been collaborating with another author, Mat Twassel. I hope you will check out his stories as they are great, especially with the illustrations he puts into his work. We are working together on "Naomi's Journal", so I hope you will check that out. Comments would also be very, very welcome. Let me know what you think and I hope to have "Sweet Calendar Girls" up before Thanksgiving. Working and family life sometimes get in the way. Of course, the muse has to "light my fire", so to speak, also!
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