En Memento Mori

[BlackStone]

I normally do not make use of E!'s social boards, sticking to my stories and roleplays here, but in the wake of the latest Strange New Worlds episode,  Memento Mori, which has its own Federation remembrance day,I felt the need to write and out something out there.  If you do not have Paramount Plus, I do recommend you utilize the free one week trial and watch the series, and specifically this episode which touched me deeply.

Memorial Day in the United States was first recognized in 1868 as a day of remembrance for all U.S. servicemen who gave their lives in the defense of the United States.  As jaded as many of have become, and I do number myself among them, I still at my core believe in the promise and the message of the United States as a land by the people and for the people, and throughout history there have been adversaries who wanted to end such promise, and the men and women of the United States military have answered the call.

For all of us in the United States, it is a holiday, a day off, or a day were we earn time and half if we work.  It serves as the start of the summer season, and there is nothing wrong with it.  I am taking the long weekend to celebrate my son's graduation and to be with family, grilling hot dogs and hamburgers as we nerd out and play games.  What I do ask is people do take a moment on Monday and remember those lost.  Not only the military and others, and despite your feelings and experiences, still keep the faith their loss will make a difference.  It might not be today, it might be ten or more years from now, but it will make a difference.  It is, after all what faith is.

I will end this by sharing my own personal story of one of my fallen USAF brethren.  Captain Eric Das was a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy class of 1995.  I knew him personally.  He was a freshmen in my cadet squadron at the Academy, and I remember at times when I had to correct him and do my best to mold him into a future Air Force Officer.  Captain Daas is one of two USAF causalities of the second Gulf War.  He was a senior pilot of a F-15E Strike Eagle fighter aircraft.  His aircraft went down on 7 Apr, 2003 along with his weapon systems officer. 

There have been much debate about the second Gulf War, but in the end I do stand by this.  Iraq was a dictatorship which supported and gave shelter to terrorists who actively wanted to do harm to U.S. citizens.  It was a government who not only condoned the use of chemical weapons on its civilian population, but also actively participated in the torture of women and children.  I do not shed one tear that government was stopped, and Captain Das was one among many service men who made it possible.   So, to a person who I knew and admired, I close with this. the Third Verse of the United States Air Force song, only sung in remembrance of fallen comrades.

Here's a toast to the host
Of those who love the vastness of the sky,
To a friend we send a message of the brave who serve on high.
We drink to those who gave their all of old
Then down we roar to score the rainbow's pot of gold.
A toast to the host of those we boast, the U.S. Air Force!

Thank you all for taking the time to read, listen, and I do hope, keep the faith with me I have in the core of our ideals, and in the men and women who would gladly give their lives to defend them.

Respectfully,

Blackstone