Monday, May 29, 2006

A Letter to Mrs. Bixby

IN MEMORIAM

This letter was written to a woman during the Civil War by Abraham Lincoln. Some of you will know it because it was read in the movie 'Saving Private Ryan'. I love it and it really portrays and illustrates sacrifice in the most eloquent way.


Executive Mansion, Washington, November 21, 1864

Mrs. Bixby, Boston, Massachusettes:

Dear Madam,

I have been shown the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant-General of Massachusettes 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 thank 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 so costly a sacrifice upon the alter of freedom.

Yours very Sincerely and respectfully,

Abraham Lincoln.


HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY

2 comments:

Steve and Jane said...

Imagine what ole Honest Abe would write if he heard the mexican rallies screeching through megaphones 500,000 strong "The gringos must go!"

Anonymous said...

Spell-check.


Please.