He That Shall Live This Day

"He that shall live this day", the title of this WebLog, is taken from the Saint Crispin's Day Speech, from Henry V by William Shakespeare

This day is called the feast of Crispian:
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when the day is named,
And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And say 'To-morrow is Saint Crispian:'
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars.
And say 'These wounds I had on Crispin's day.'
Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot,
But he'll remember with advantages
What feats he did that day: then shall our names.
Familiar in his mouth as household words
Harry the king, Bedford and Exeter,
Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester,
Be in their flowing cups freshly remember'd.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remember'd;
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.

It is dedicated to those who "lived this day" in military history.
Everyone who goes down to the Armed Forces Recruiting Station, and raises their right hand, is a hero. They offer their lives for their country. Fortunately, many come home, the offer not accepted. These brave ones gave their time and energy, their bodies and spirit, but not their lives.
Others, giving the full measure of heroism, are called to God's arms.
We will ruminate here on the Armed Services, past, present and future.
Join us.