Althouse: Memorial Day, sunrise.

May 25, 2020

Memorial Day, sunrise.

5:31...

5:13...

10 comments:

traditionalguy said...: Gentlemen, start your engines. We are back.; 5/25/20, 6:28 AM
Inga said...: Oh blazing balls of fire, this looks like a summer sunrise.; 5/25/20, 6:31 AM
exhelodrvr1 said...: WWII letter from one of my uncles:

The CO of a heavy weapons platoon in 116th Regiment, 29th Division, he survived Omaha Beach on D-Day. From a letter he wrote home from England (I believe March, 1944): "Soon ... I do not know how soon ... I shall have to demonstrate not only how much or how well I have learned the art of killing, but how well I have taught that abominable art to others. I know what's ahead. It won't be another pleasure trip, but though it may cost me my life, I wouldn't want to miss it! Should I be among the many who inevitably must fall, remember that I didn't go without realizing the possibility that I might lose my life. Remember, too, that I give my life willingly, that I do so out of love for my country and all its people ... even the traitors and selfish slackers. If I should die on the battlefield, I beg you to leave my body there. Some day our government may provide you the opportunity to visit my grave. If so, avail yourself of that opportunity."
And a "Victory Gram" he wrote home on June 11th, 1944 (5 days after D-Day):
"Dear Folks,
Alive and well. Don’t worry. The Hun is strong, clever, and brave, but we are beating him.
The past few days here have seemed like years – so much has happened.
France is beautiful. I think I’ll like it better than England. Maybe all of this free wine and champagne makes the difference! You see, it’s purer than the water from the wells which the Germans may have poisoned.
Au revoir,
Conrad"
He was KIA three days later, on June 14th, 1944. He is buried in the American cemetery in Normandy, France.; 5/25/20, 6:41 AM
Anonymous said...: Every sunrise is a gift. One more chance to do something good. To make a difference.; 5/25/20, 6:52 AM
BUMBLE BEE said...: I have two distant cousins who never made it to the beach on D-Day. I also have an uncle who was shot down in a P-38 around Rabaul. As I get older, I wonder about them more frequently. People I know who haven't had such a loss in their family seem to have a totally different outlook on life.; 5/25/20, 6:57 AM
Temujin said...: exhelodrvr1- that was a very stirring, touching, and real letter you shared. Thank you for that. Here's to your Uncle...and all those who perished in that war, and those before and after, so that we may be sitting here on this peaceful morning, still able to fight for our freedom, both abroad and here at home.; 5/25/20, 7:15 AM
Andrew said...: Beautiful.

You could make a montage of your favorite sunrise photos and set them to this music.

https://youtu.be/1ihFE99Wo8w; 5/25/20, 7:25 AM
hawkeyedjb said...: A link to an article that is always worth re-reading on Memorial Day. Our tribulations are trivial.; 5/25/20, 8:54 AM
hawkeyedjb said...: There is also the report from Ernie Pyle, who followed the troops shortly after D-Day.; 5/25/20, 9:00 AM
Maillard Reactionary said...: Let us remember, put our troubles in perspective, and live in a way worthy of their sacrifice. RIP.; 5/25/20, 10:21 AM