To the Death

Every summer, for the last several years, David and I have been visiting Civil War Battlefields.  Because we live in Virginia, it doesn’t take long to get to several locations both above us, and below.  I have been to so many, at this point, that I’ve been having a bit of difficulty remembering each one.  Instead, they’ve been collected into a big pile of memories.

I’ve also watched many films, documentaries, and general presentations of a war that has given me mixed emotions since I was first acquainted with it in elementary school.  There have been so many opinions about this war, that I suppose I needed to do my own research in order to resolve the matter completely.

It didn’t take long to accept the fact that I sympathized with both sides. Both the North, and the South.  Both had valid viewpoints, in my opinion.

Both were honorable, according to the facts.

Both were correct in rising to the occasion.

After touring so many museums, and walking on so many battlefields, I have found that I respect each one equally.

At least they tried to do something about it.

At least, they tried.

On the other hand, how they carried out their beliefs is another matter, altogether.  It seems to me that there could have been more discussion before it had to end the way it did.  If logic were used to facilitate the changes in our country at that time, perhaps more lives could have been saved.

Perhaps.

Either way, my heart goes out to those whose life course leads them to physical battle.  Especially, when each one feels they are righteous in doing so.

Because the question, in the long run, is not only: How can you fight for freedom?

It is, more often: How can you not…..

To those who defend what they believe, who are willing to fight for those true convictions, you have my constant and undying admiration and respect….