Sunday, May 29, 2011

Turn, turn, turn



In a little while Rolling Thunder will begin to gather. In the process, a whole bunch of them will rumble past the chateau. I've got my camera ready; hope to catch some good shots of those guys, doing their own quirky invocation of Memorial Day. I could create a whole mythology around their ride through Washington DC, how the potato potato potato growl of the Harleys wakes up their fallen comrades, the thousands of dead troops who forever haunt the District. But maybe the truth is that they simply enjoy a nice ride together during the first weekend of summer. Who knows? I'm not quite as sure of all my theories as I once was.

Folks tell me that there are a bunch of young fellows who have joined the crusty old Vietnam vets, which makes sense. These guys are Iraq and Afghanistan vets. It's sad. I believe with all my heart that war is NOT the answer, and I hold dearly in my heart those who put themselves in the line of fire.

Today and tomorrow, amidst the roar of motorcycles, I will engage in the dance of respect and love for my beloved soldiers, living and dead. Thanks so much for your valour, dudes. I mean it!

10 comments:

Tom said...

it will a righteous noise...and mighty loud to boot

Carolina Linthead said...

Amen, Reya! For all the flag-waving and talk of supporting troops over the last couple of decades, we still don't care for our vets as we should, and we have so very many of them now, not to mention far too many new graves. I was reading an editorial this morning that talked about how we have become accepting of near-perpetual war, as if this is the way it must be. I suspect if more people really communed with the veterans of past wars, living and dead, they would more readily challenge this notion.

Reya Mellicker said...

Yeah. Maybe.

The Bug said...

I guess it's natural that war would be on our minds this weekend - my poem today is about the Vietnam war, sort of.

janis said...

...beautiful♥...

steven said...

i wonder what walls the trumpets on those harleys will bring down?! steven

Cheryl Cato said...

Nice post. Pass the poppies.

Elizabeth said...

I join you in commending the PEOPLE in our armed services --not so much the politicians who often make bad decisions.
A time to remember the brave.

Jo said...

Oh yes, plenty of your amazing pics, please!

Well said, Reya. It's often difficult for us to articulate honoring the fallen while not rattling the sabres. You did so perfectly. Thank you.

Reya Mellicker said...

I am so NOT a sabre rattler. Bloody hell.

Janis - many tiny hearts to you and to you too Dana. Must go read your poem.

Pass the poppies indeed.

Steven - what in the world did I do before we became friends?