The Anger of Compassion

"Hero, One Each, Inbound"

I read today that one of the first Iwo Jima flag raisers has died.

Private First Class Ray Jacobs, U. S. Marine Corps, has gone to his rest. Really, anything intelligible I could say about what feelings this raised in me have already been said here.

So why would I tear up over news of Jacobs' death? I never knew him, in fact never heard of him at all, and in my entire life I've met exactly one Iwo vet. So why tears? What's the big deal?

There is no big deal, that's why, and as the old saying goes, those aren't tears, there's just something in my eye. But I meant what I wrote about Memorial Day and about those we're memorializing:

It's an assertion that American fighting men do not sacrifice their lives, and that it is a sin against decency to suggest that they should.
For life, liberty, property, and the pursuit of happiness--these values cherished by Americans--these values which must be defended, sometimes unto death--these values have meaning only for the living, and they have meaning only on this earth. This earth is where those values are enjoyed. This earth is where those valiant warriors fell, defending them. And this earth--well, this earth, and only this earth, is where their remembrance is made.
And if--as is sadly inevitable--more brave young Americans die in Afghanistan and in Iraq -- we'll remember them, too.
And that does matter.
But: please, a remembrance worthy of them, worthy of their lives on this earth. Ditch the long faces. Note that life goes on, that the sun still warms, that Beethoven still inspires, that laughter is shared, that enemies can be and have been vanquished and leopard cubs have been born and friends made. That rollercoasters still thrill. That life has been lived. That burgers and shrimp have been grilled and beer consumed and gratitude has been offered but no apologies, ever, for any of it.

But with a little bit of introspection, i think I get it: I know where my tears come from. That last line in the original post about Jacobs' death reads, "So make a hole down there in Fiddler's Green! War hero, genuine, 1ea, Inbound." I love it. I can imagine a crappy, US Navy-type shipboard public address system in Hell announcing, "Helmets on, motherfuckers! One more Marine on the way!"

Rest in peace, Ray Jacobs. They'll make way for you, wherever. "Inbound," indeed.

(Hat tip: Jonah Goldberg at The Corner)

Posted by Craig Ceely at January 31, 2008 11:51 PM