On this Memorial Day, I remember those soldiers who have fallen in the service of our nation, and in defense of freedom. Those who do not remember history are doomed to repeat it; it is by remembering the sacrifices of our ancestors that we avoid the individual and collective mistakes which led to their sacrifices.
But a human being does not normally die without a fight. We cling to life tenaciously. Even in great pain and sorry, most of us fight to live, breathe, and remain "me".
In celebration of that spirit, I present Dylan Thomas’ “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night”. Those of you who remember the movie, “Independence Day”, will remember the President echoing these same words:
Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Though wise men at their end know dark is right, Because their words had forked no lightning they Do not go gentle into that good night.
Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight, And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way, Do not go gentle into that good night.
Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
And you, my father, there on the sad height, Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray. Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.