Mermorial Day is an interesting holiday for me. I truly give thanks for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and there is something about the solemnity of national cemeteries like the Ohio Reserve National Cemetery that fills me with sadness and patriotism. However, I also know we have fought wars for motivations that were less than pure. I used to think that Revolutionary War heros were the ultimate as they were bad ass and scrappy and went against the world’s greatest army in pursuit of our freedom. However, as I dive deeper into the history of our country, I realize that these heroes were conquerors who vanquished and murdered the original occupants of our land.
The one thing that keeps me from denouncing them is thinking about how our soldiers returning from Vietnam were treated. These men, many of them more men than boys, did what their country asked of them. Many of them were drafted. Many of them truly believed they were fighting for democracy. The thought of these young men returning home to the scorn of a nation, helps me remember that things are rarely black and white and that there are many shades of gray.
With that in mind, I want to pay tribute to the men and women of our armed forces who have fought bravely and gallantly for our freedom. One of these men is Captain John Trevett who served in the Revolutionary War. My daughter and I discovered his grave when we were wandering around God’s Little Acre, the African American cemetery in Newport, Rhode Island, and it’s adjoining cemetery, the Common Burying Ground. We were in awe that beneath our feet was someone who had fought against the British for our freedom. We paused to say thanks and my daughter read the stirring inscription out loud.
In memory of Captain John Trevett, who departed this life November 5th, 1823, aged 76. He was a true patriot of the Revolution and served his country faithfully from the commencement to the close of that war and was honored with various commissions in the Navy. Was three times at the capture of New Providence. He was in many serious engagements and received several severe wounds in the cause of independence. He received as his only reward the satisfaction of reflecting that by his efforts he had contributed to the establishment of the blood, bought liberties of his country.
Also of Elizabeth, his amiable consort and daughter of the late Captain John Holmes Gardner, who departed this life January 22nd, 1823, age 70. 1. And Captain Constant Church Trevet also Captain Eliezer Trevett, both of whom died in the cause of the country aboard the British prison ship near New York, at the close of the war.
Despite knowing the horrors of the Revolutionary War, thge phrase “blood bought liberties of his country” makes me tear up every time I hear it.