Memorial day in an election year

by chuckofish

I feel strongly about Memorial Day — it’s a day of reflection and remembrance. We should all take the time to think about the sacrifices men (and women) have made so that we can live as free people. Here’s to all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, especially great uncle Guy, who was killed in the Argonne Forest, September 26 1918. He was a sweet Vermont boy, whose family never recovered from his death.

Guy Russell Chamberlin

Memorial Day should not be a photo op for campaigning politicians. In this election year I would like to remind everyone of an astute observation that Xenophon made in the 4th century BC about the Spartans, who had been generally decent until they finally defeated the Athenians and found themselves wielding power over much of Greece:

At one time the Spartans would have taken care to ensure that they deserved to occupy the leading position. Nowadays their main preoccupation is just to exercise authority rather than to be worthy of doing so. (Xenophon Constitution of the Lacedaemonians 14)

There have been times in history, though few and far between, when good character mattered more than power or image. Let’s hope that notion makes a comeback.