ODG Memorial Day Dedication

Memorial Day (U.S. Observance)

On this holiday, we at Off Duty Gamers feel that it is our duty and our honor to insure that those who do not know today’s meaning are made to understand it’s burden and responsibility as a citizen.

What this day is not

This day is not for those who stand among you today, while these men and women who serve are always worth thanking, today is not their day. In that same way, today is not for your BBQ, opening your pool or poking a fire with cold beer in hand.

What this day is

This day is half solemn and half celebratory. The morning is dedicated to those who have fallen in battle or lost the battle that they came home carrying. The afternoon to celebrating the life that they have sacrificed to provide to you and your family.

Here we have the words spoken that eventually brought the holiday into being. In this excerpt of President Lincoln’s Gettysburg address which sought to give voice for such a battle that they hoped would never happen again.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate, we can not consecrate, we can not hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

This humbly, appropriately and respectfully sums up the price paid and challenge to those of us who endure beyond those who have fallen.

Our Responsibility

This holiday is about remembrance. For many of you what you read here may be the first time you’ve ever really realized that today isn’t about all the troops, or that it is actually not a HAPPY holiday. Our responsibility is to remember those who are not among us any longer who have given you and I the freedom to be here today. It is usually not so popular to see the solemn nature of this day but only in that feeling can you truly feel the gift that has been given to each of us.

A Challenge

At some point this holiday, recognize freedom’s price. Say a prayer, bow your head in a moment of silence, put your hand on the shoulder of a veteran who has lost his brother/sister and whisper ‘I will remember’. These are the smallest but most important symbols of gratitude you can bestow in memorial of those who cannot be here today.

ODG Dedication

For our brothers and sisters, fallen in battle or at the hands of its devastating effects. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten so long as we endure in the freedom you have purchased with too high a price. We dedicate this space and our thoughts are with you and your families this day. We can never say thank you quite enough and we hope you forgive us when we complain about our lives in forgetfulness about what we have. This site and it’s staff will always carry these thoughts in the course of our days representing you and those who serve beside you.