Happy Veteran’s Day!

What’s he that wishes so?
    My cousin Westmoreland? No, my fair cousin;
    If we are mark’d to die, we are enow
    To do our country loss; and if to live,
    The fewer men, the greater share of honour.
    God’s will! I pray thee, wish not one man more.
    By Jove, I am not covetous for gold,
    Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost;
    It yearns me not if men my garments wear;
    Such outward things dwell not in my desires.
    But if it be a sin to covet honour,
    I am the most offending soul alive.
    No, faith, my coz, wish not a man from England.
    God’s peace! I would not lose so great an honour
    As one man more methinks would share from me
    For the best hope I have. O, do not wish one more!
    Rather proclaim it, Westmoreland, through my host,
    That he which hath no stomach to this fight,
    Let him depart; his passport shall be made,
    And crowns for convoy put into his purse;
    We would not die in that man’s company
    That fears his fellowship to die with us.
    This day is call’d the feast of Crispian.
    He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
    Will stand a tip-toe when this day is nam’d,
    And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
    He that shall live this day, and see old age,
    Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
    And say ‘To-morrow is Saint Crispian.’
    Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars,
    And say ‘These wounds I had on Crispian’s day.’
    Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot,
    But he’ll remember, with advantages,
    What feats he did that day. Then shall our names,
    Familiar in his mouth as household words-
    Harry the King, Bedford and Exeter,
    Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester-
    Be in their flowing cups freshly rememb’red.
    This story shall the good man teach his son;
    And Crispin Crispian shall ne’er go by,
    From this day to the ending of the world,
   

But we in it shall be remembered-
    We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
    For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
    Shall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile,
    This day shall gentle his condition;
    And gentlemen in England now-a-bed
    Shall think themselves accurs’d they were not here,
    And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
    That fought with us upon Saint Crispin’s day.

-Henry V, Shakespeare

Thank a Veteran today for the service they gave to this country!  Talk to them about what they did and make sure their stories and service are not forgotten.

And, the pictures I used for this post, I took yesterday at the Portland Holocaust Memorial. 

10 Comments Add yours

  1. Secretia says:

    There are so many veterans now, and they need our appreciation and our help.

    Thank you for serving!

  2. Secretia says:

    There are so many veterans now, and they need our appreciation and our help.

    Thank you for serving!

  3. Secretia says:

    There are so many veterans now, and they need our appreciation and our help.

    Thank you for serving!

  4. Just me... says:

    I’ve always loved that speech even though it somehow leaves me with a feeling of not belonging.. It’s said that brotherhood borne of battle can never be set aside.. And I believe it..
    And respect it..
    Thanks for this post and thanks to all the Veterans.. 🙂

  5. Vixen says:

    Incredibly moving. The photos especially.

  6. autumn says:

    remembering here in Canada as well today. nice post.

  7. NY Diva says:

    Yet another reason to like you- you know good Shakespeare! 🙂

    Fact: I once had most of that speech memorized for English class in 8th grade.

  8. rage says:

    Thank you for sharing. xoxo

  9. southerngirl says:

    NEVER EVER can we forget the blood and life shed for us today. Thank you love!!

    xo

  10. Ms Scarlett says:

    One of my favorite soliloquies…. and I share the sentiment. Thank you…

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