Memorial Day: For Those That Stand and Guard the Bridge

Published on May 31st, 2010

Watching my local Memorial Day parade this morning with color guards, bands and firetrucks passing the crowds of flag-waving families and friends gathered on both sides of Main Street, the name Horatius was front and center in my mind. So, in honor of those military members that have given their lives defending our country, and for those currently doing so, I thought I might paraphrase the poem Horatius by Thomas Babbington Macaulay.

Confronted by a hostile advancing army, the leaders of Rome met. They needed to destroy their only bridge into the city before the enemy could cross it and sack Rome itself. They were nearly out of time…

“They held a council standing,
Before the River-Gate;
Short time was there, ye well may guess,
For musing or debate.
Out spake the Consul roundly:
“The bridge must straight go down;
For, since Janiculum is lost,
Nought else can save the town.”
The poem continues..
“Just then a scout came flying,
All wild with haste and fear:
“To arms! to arms! Sir Consul:
Lars Porsena is here.”
On the low hills to westward
The Consul fixed his eye,
And saw the swarthy storm of dust
Rise fast along the sky.”
The verse continues as the attackers draw closer….
“But the Consul’s brow was sad,
And the Consul’s speech was low,
And darkly looked he at the wall,
And darkly at the foe.
“Their van will be upon us
Before the bridge goes down;
And if they once may win the bridge,
What hope to save the town?”
“Then out spake brave Horatius,
The Captain of the Gate:
“To every man upon this earth
Death cometh soon or late.
And how can man die better
Than facing fearful odds,
For the ashes of his fathers,
And the temples of his gods…”
Horatius continues…
““Haul down the bridge, Sir Consul,
With all the speed ye may;
I, with two more to help me,
Will hold the foe in play.
In yon strait path a thousand
May well be stopped by three.
Now who will stand on either hand,
And keep the bridge with me?”
“Then out spake Spurius Lartius;
A Ramnian proud was he:
“Lo, I will stand at thy right hand,
And keep the bridge with thee.”
And out spake strong Herminius;
Of Titian blood was he:
“I will abide on thy left side,
And keep the bridge with thee.””

The inspiring poem goes on with Horatius, Lartius and Herminius holding off the attackers until the bridge comes crashing down; their robust bravery saved the city of Rome and the day.

Be it this story or the story of the bravery of 300 Spartans, it’s hard to miss the same unshakable courage, fortitude, guts and grit of our fighting men and women today. Regardless of your opinion in politics, the various wars currently under way and the deployment of the U.S. Military around the world, what we cannot debate or escape is the human boldness, unshakable nerve and daring heroism of our Army, Marines, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard, Reserves and Guard Members serving to hold the bridge and the gate.

This Memorial Day, even if just for a second, remember the bravery and honor that has come before you!

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