Memorial Day – myriad emotions!
The last couple of weeks have been quite hectic for me, some deadlines, some deliverables, some family commitments…the memorial day long weekend came as a welcome relief. For a change, I kept my schedule totally free, and like many other drivers who are complaining about high gas prices and staying off road this long weekend, I did the same and limited myself to local trips only. Unless I have to, I actually like to travel when it is not a long weekend, roads are more friendly and little less congested..Anyway, some free time is always good to recharge batteries, unwind, reflect upon life and so on..and here I am watching some memorial day coverage on TV. CNN had a live coverage on Barack Obama addressing veterans in New Mexico ( full disclosure, for whatever it is worth, I am a Barack Obama supporter and some of my thoughts, writings may reflect it). Barack Obama has this natural gift of being a great orator, some of the good things he says, you just take for granted, anything less and he risks disappointing his fans ( including me of course..). That said, talking about a soldier he said something which really moved me. He had a bracelet from a woman whose son had died in the line of duty..it read, “All gave some – he gave all”..I was touched..granted these may not be his original line..but coming from him, it made the atmosphere even more sombre and poignant and not just yet another presidential campaign event.You can read the full transcript of his speech here. The war which is happening half a world away..may not impact us in our day to day life, but deep inside we all feel the sorrow of a mother who has lost a child, a kid who has lost his dad and a wife who has lost her significant other in this war.. the ultimate sacrifice some people give to keep us all safe here at home! I just hope we never forget that. I salute these guys who are willing to die for their country, I hope that the political leadership exercises their judgment before sending these heroes in harm’s way! I hope Barack Obama will exercise this judgment and that is why I support him!
Here’s a photograph from last years memorial day by John Moore, I think this photograph won number one prize in one of these photo journalism competition. Indeed a picture is worth a thousand words!!Did I ever consider joining military, yes I did. Back in 1989 we had Indian Navy come to our campus at IIT Kanpur for recruitment. I cleared their aptitude test and the OLQ ( Officer Like Quality) test and started filling up some benefit forms. In the form there was one item which said- next of kin to notify. I asked the recruiting officer what was that and he said who would I like notified if something happens to me. What…I thought, I am just a mechanical engineer, in a support role, never thought I could be at risk too.. and here it was in black and white..asking me to fill up the next of kin. Suddenly the seriousness of this job dawned on me..I realized they are talking life and death here…I realized I wasn’t cut out for that job, didn’t attend the final interview which was to happen in Indian Navy base somewhere…all the more reason I respect and admire those who have taken the oath to defend their motherland.
