In athletics, we often use military analogies to motivate and coach players. We talk about winning battles, fighting hard and taking care of the brother next to us. We use these comparisons because we know that soldiers are the toughest, bravest, and most selfless people on the planet. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and we strive to demonstrate the same commitment, honor, and sacrifice among our athletes.
The reality is what athletes do on a daily basis is not remotely close to the life of a soldier. Soldiers face life or death situations to preserve what is most sacred to us all, freedom. On Memorial Day we try to find ways to honor and thanks those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice by giving their life. On this day, I always think about the letter from Abraham Lincoln to a grieving mother who had lost five sons in battle.
The reality is what athletes do on a daily basis is not remotely close to the life of a soldier. Soldiers face life or death situations to preserve what is most sacred to us all, freedom. On Memorial Day we try to find ways to honor and thanks those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice by giving their life. On this day, I always think about the letter from Abraham Lincoln to a grieving mother who had lost five sons in battle.
Executive Mansion, Washington, November 21, 1864.
Mrs. Bixby, Boston, Massachusetts:
Dear Madam: I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant-General of Massachusetts that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle. I feel how weak and fruitless must be any words of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering to you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save. I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.
Yours very sincerely and respectfully,
Abraham Lincoln
Mrs. Bixby, Boston, Massachusetts:
Dear Madam: I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant-General of Massachusetts that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle. I feel how weak and fruitless must be any words of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering to you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save. I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.
Yours very sincerely and respectfully,
Abraham Lincoln
We are a truly blessed to live in the greatest country in the world. Take a moment today to honor the sacrifices of military families so that our families might enjoy freedom.
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