The Fewer the Men, the Greater the Honor"

I came across this quote the other day from William Shakespeare's Henry V, it is the Crispain Day speech, where the troops, out numbered and out manned, are inspired to take on a greater French forces. I thought it was appropriate as we go into this Memorial Day weekend. Read it and remember... remember those who have come before. Who have paid dearly with life and blood, to provide you and me with the freedom we now take for granted. Please remember freedom is never, ever free. Generations past have known this, but I fear our current generation has lost its way.




He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when this day is nam'd,
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 Crispian'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...
Be in their flowing cups freshly rememb'red.
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 remembered-
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 accurs'd they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.

~ from Shakespeare's Henry V

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