So we left the Korean War Veterans Memorial and headed east along the reflecting pool between the Lincoln Memorial and the WWII Memorial. The path was shaded by tall, ancient trees that also shielded us from the continuing rain. Along the way, my nephew, Nathan, heard a cell phone ringing from the grass. He picked it up and began the process of trying to locate the owner to return it.
We continued on at a leisurely pace and the WWII Memorial came into view. Again, my pulse quickened a tad as I have admired the WWII generation for my entire life. I remember watching the dedication proceedings on TV some years ago with both excitement and concern that it had taken so long to complete. But now, I was here to see it in person and my heart was full of both gratitude for those who served and the opportunity to be in this place on this day at this time.
The reflecting pool blends into the fountains of the Memorial beautifully. I learned that we were entering the Memorial from the "back" side, as the front is facing the Washington Monument.
The site features two towers, each representing a theater of the War--Atlantic and Pacific. There are also columns representing each of the 50 states (or, if you're an Obama-ite, 57 states).
There are several carved quotations from significant figures in that conflict as well as several depictions of various aspects of the War. I didn't take time to photograph everything, but again took time to reflect upon the direction our nation has taken and how the foundations of present weakness were laid even before this War! Obama's World Apology Tour was fresh in my mind as well as his abandonment of all the principles that saw this nation through this desperate time and helped us to rid the world of Hitler's and Japan's tyranny.
Etched on one wall of the Memorial are these words of General George C. Marshall:
"We are determined that before the sun sets on this terrible struggle our flag will be recognized throughout the world as a symbol of freedom on the one hand and of overwhelming force on the other."
Again, my resolve hardened that this recognition of our country--of our flag and institutions and the resolve of the American people--be had around the globe again. Obama is presently inviting destruction of our nation on all fronts and I believe it is deliberate. He is a man who has grown up hating this nation and has surrounded himself with mentors and associates with the combined aim of undermining our freedom and establishing a socialist dictatorship.
While many can sneer at the German people of the 1930's and wonder condescendingly "How could they let it happen?! Why did they allow Hitler to take power?" we are now living it in our own time and place. Before we left, I took time to offer a silent prayer that we, in this time and in this place might succeed in throwing off the shackles that are now being fitted for us. Time is short and the struggle real.
Later, I saw a poster in the March that called to mind these thoughts. I reflected then, again, on this visit to the WWII Memorial and the others and the reality of the fight that has fallen to our generation to make. The poster was a reference to Ephesians 6, particularly 6:10-18. Verse 12 of that passage is especially real to me: "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Paul's subsequent call is not to arms or violence, but to personal study and righteousness and adherence to correct principles. Together with that comes open and fearless truth-telling.
Our parents and grandparents, in the perilous times of WWII stood tall and firm and boldly told the world's tyrants, "You are WRONG and what you have done WILL NOT STAND!!!"Now, in our time and turn, we owe it to those patriots and protectors to do the same.
Lt. Col. Dave Grossman pointed out that in the movie, Saving Private Ryan, Ryan represents all of us. The Rangers who died to save him represent all the warriors and patriots of ages past who gave their blood, sweat, tears, energies and toil to present to us a free republic with boundless opportunity. Captain Miller's final words to Ryan on that bridge at the end of the movie are essentially the words of all these brave men and women to us, "Earn this. Earn it!"
Fortunately for us, and for now, our battles will be battles of words and ideas fought in community halls and in the halls of government and at the polls. If we fail here and now, the price of recovering our liberty will be a heavy toll of blood and tears. Generations yet unborn rely upon our present valor just as we have relied on that of the "Greatest Generation." We cannot fail. Not now. Not ever. Not EVER!
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