Veterans Memorial hallowed ground

By Tom Hintgen (Contact) | The Daily Journal

Published Tuesday, May 13, 2008

In less than two weeks the Ashby Veterans Memorial will receive many visitors. Located on the east side of town along Highway 78, the grounds near Pelican Lake Cemetery will be the location for the annual Memorial Day ceremonies coordinated by the Ashby American Legion.

The memorial is dedicated in memory of and as a living memorial to all men and women who served in the Armed Forces of the United States. The words, inscribed, are, “in defense of their country and to preserve freedom.”

Separate monuments honor men and women who served in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard. On the base of the flag pole are words inscribed in granite — sacrifice, valor, honor, duty and freedom.

Facing west toward Highway 78, on the back of one marker, are words written by the late Archibald MacLeish, an American poet, writer and the Librarian of Congress. His words come under the title, “The young, dead soldiers.”

“We were young. We have died. Remember us.

We have done what we could. But until it is finished, it is not done.

We have given our lives, but until it is finished no one can know what our lives gave.

Our deaths are not ours. They are yours. They will mean what you make them.

Whether our lives and our deaths were for peace, a new hope, or nothing, we cannot say. It is you who must say this.

We leave you our deaths. Give them their meaning.

We have died. Remember us.”