A Song and Remembrance for Memorial Day

Thousands of movies and stories remember wars (and those who have died) in epic tales of valor and heroism, horror and tragedy. Wars have started for many reasons throughout human history—sometimes to protect home and family but so often, unfortunately, in service to power and money. But for all of wars’ scope and impacts—often altering the course of human history—wars are fought and experienced in deeply personal ways. So it is fitting that Ed Williams begins his reflections not with grandiose homages to honor, duty and courage but with the deeply personal—a family scrapbook his Mother kept.

Among the pictures and remembrances is a letter from Ed’s father written in October 1944 from the USS St Lo during WWII. Historians (such as my mother) recognize this ship’s name and infamous date from the Battle of Leyte Gulf. But I did not know the history (until hearing Ed’s essay) and was lulled by the sweet banality of Ed’s father’s letter: the boredom, the confusion (his father got the date wrong), and the hints of his longing for home (wondering what 3-year-old Ed might want for Christmas) and family (he speculates his brother is on a nearby ship). (If you aren’t a historian—and even if you are—watch the video to find out about the historic event.)

I suspect part of why Ed wanted to include my performance of “Dear Sister” (I have a previously recorded video of it that is a favorite of Ed’s) is because the song begins with a letter from a soldier to family during another momentous war. And that soldier also misses and longs for home.

“Home” has a different resonance for all of us during this current pandemic—the closest to a cataclysmic war-like event most of us have ever experienced. Home has become a place for work, school and confinement. It has been the only way that most of us can participate in sacrifice on behalf of others—by simply staying home. But the meaning still resonates. We have become even more painfully aware during this pandemic of the injustice and suffering and capriciousness of life in this world of ours. We all long for a place where “all is bright and fair” and all of humankind can find a place of safety, justice, happiness and belonging.

Today as we honor those who have died in service of others, may we resolve to work toward a world with no need for war and where all of humankind can live together in peace—home, sweet home.