Here dead we lie
Because we did not choose
To live and shame the land
From which we sprung.

Life, to be sure,
Is nothing much to lose,
But young men think it is,
And we were young.

–Alfred Edward Housman 

Today is the day Americans set aside to honor and remember the men and
women who gave their lives in defense of freedom and liberty.

From the days of fighting for independence from Great Britain, through the
Civil War, two World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan–our best
and brightest have answered the call to service in the Armed Forces.  And
far too many made the ultimate sacrifice so that future generations could
live as a free people.

Memorial Day has an especially significant meaning for all of us here in
Korea.  In this great land, over 30,000 Americans died fighting side-by-side
with the Korean people defending freedom.  One need only look around this
modern vibrant country rebuilt from the ashes of that war to know that their
sacrifice was not in vain.  We stand today with our Korean brothers and
sisters, ever vigilant and ready, so that peace may always reign in The Land
of the Morning Calm.

Sadly, but not with upbraiding,
    The generous deed was done,
In the storm of the years that are fading
    No braver battle was won:
        Under the sod and the dew,
            Waiting the judgment-day;
        Under the blossoms, the Blue,
            Under the garlands, the Gray

No more shall the war cry sever,
    Or the winding rivers be red;
They banish our anger forever
    When they laurel the graves of our dead!
        Under the sod and the dew,
            Waiting the judgment-day,
        Love and tears for the Blue,
            Tears and love for the Gray.

–Francis Miles Finch