Memorial to the horses killed in the Great War
It’s often said doing this three-day weekend that the real purpose of Memorial Day has long been forgotten. Writers, commentators and journalist around the country draw attention to the sacrifices made by those men and women who lost their lives defending our freedom and the freedom of others. Many were brave, many felt fear as life slipped away, none wanted to die, yet they did in service to our country.
No one mentions the lives of the horses lost in battle, the extreme sacrifices they made for our freedom. Although they aren’t used in our battle anymore, they were the forerunners of our freedoms and they too died on the battlefields by the thousands. While we would never equate the lives of horses to the lives of soldiers, we need to be mindful of all horses have given to us, and on no better day should that be done than Memorial Day.
Even as our soldiers are dying in the battlefields of Afghanistan, our horses are dying in another great battle. Just as before, they have no choice in the matter. We appointed ourselves as their keepers, their guardians and their protectors many centuries ago. We once rode them into battle. This time we’re sending them by themselves to die, not for our freedom, but for their flesh. Once they sacrificed their lives for our freedom. Now they sacrifice their life for greed, and our magnificent country, the very country for which so many men and women died, finds such greed to be perfectly acceptable.
Proposed Memorial in Ottawa’s Confederation Park
Battles fought under the guidance of misguided politicians have never been successful without the help and determination of the brave men and women in the field. The battle for our horses will never be won without the help of those who love them. Together, we need to strengthen our resolve to redirect the politicians, to close the slaughterhouses and to keep our horses home and alive.
Together, as a nation, we stand before our flag and salute our fallen heroes. Sadly, some of our heroes continue to die, and the fallen horses of our ongoing battle deserve nothing less than our total determination to end their horror. In their honor, in their name, our battle continues.
May no man rest until the last horse is safe.
sherriey
May 29, 2012 at 9:21 pm
beautiful….from the soul…from the heart.
thanks Jerry.
so so very true.
Amen
Annette Steinhardt
May 28, 2012 at 9:30 pm
It is horrible how human “kind” treats one another. May those who gave everything rest in peace and for those who returned alive but are now emotionally dead may they also find peace.
I would like to point out horses it is true horses are not ridden into battle as they once where. However, they are currently still used by the military to support war efforts and can still be killed on the battlfield. So are dogs, seals, birds and even rats.
I purchased slaughter tag 229 from a kill buyer. She was 4 years old, broken leg, smashed teeth and a bloody mouth that was infected and like a balloon. I purchased her to put her down and she must be really smart because I told the vet I wouldn’t do it until she went down. Well 5 years later she still has yet to go down and is being ridden English and western. The only limits to her in no professional jumping, no heavy duty performance work.
Some drugs given to horses will never leave their system and are clearly labeled not for human consumption.
How did a treasured pet, a professional partner, a girl / boy scout camp horse, a million dollar race horse, search & rescue horse is allowed to become a food item and is not protected by law? Are people / government going to push the ban of eating dogs and cats or having kill buyers buy them by weight and then export them too with a USDA tag attached to their rear?
Janet Ferguson
May 29, 2012 at 7:00 am
Well said. How did you “rehab” your horse. Was it expensive?
Marla
May 28, 2012 at 12:55 pm
Given the barbaric things humans do to other humans, the planet, and animals, it simply amazes me that humans think they are superior to animals and have the right to do whatever they wish with them. At least SSGT Reckless had a happy ending. Many horses are not so fortunate. Thanks for the great article and the many other you have published, R.T.
Marla
May 28, 2012 at 1:32 pm
Sorry Jerry! It’s these darn human bodies, so defunct. (I read a lot of RT and Vickery Eckhoff’s and your material and get confused, but all of you have written great material) As for being human, I don’t have enough courage to come back (reincarnate) as a horse.
Jerry Finch
May 28, 2012 at 7:00 pm
If you see RT and I side by side you will immediately know the difference. I’m the good looking one.
Darrell R Charlton Jr
May 28, 2012 at 11:21 am
*applauds* WELL DONE Jerry! Being a veteran as well as an equine steward your words eloquently express the tragedy of misplaced ‘values’. The value system I ascribe to values virtually ALL life spiritually equal, yet thankfully different. Infinite love and possibility through infinite diversity. As long as humanity embraces and practices speciesism it will never rise to its true potential…
~”Our task must be to free ourselves…by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty.” – Albert Einstein~
BlessUsAll
May 28, 2012 at 5:07 pm
“Spiritually equal, yet thankfully different. Infinite love and possibility through infinite diversity.” That is beautiful, Mr. Charlton. I’m honored to meet in this space someone who is not only a veteran (thank you) and an equine steward but also an avowed anti-speciesist — that is, one who rejects all forms of exploitation of all fellow beings.
The twin of the Einstein truth you cited is from the other Albert: “Until he extends the circle of his compassion to all living things, man will not himself find peace.” (The Philosophy of Civilization by Albert Schweitzer © 1923)
As always, you make me proud to know you, Jerry. You were the first person who brought ugly horse slaughter to my attention — and to a deep appreciation of and respect for equines to my consciousness. I will always honor you for being my first mentor. My way of doing that today will be to make a Memorial Day contribution to Habitat for Horses. Off I gallop to the “donate” tab….
kathy medley
May 28, 2012 at 10:49 am
AMEN
Maggie Frazier
May 28, 2012 at 8:44 am
Jerry,
VERY good article – how true!
Isnt it sad how ALL our companion animals are treated?
Horses will always be so special to me, but my dogs & cats
are (& were) as much members of my family.
I find it very hard to understand how we (humans) could
treat them this way.
Thank you for all that you do
Maggie
Janet Ferguson
May 28, 2012 at 7:03 am
Thank you for the post. May I use the first illustration for personal use today? They are both great. I will repost this.
In Memory of those who gave all in every era, we can recall our own family trees, upon which can be found both survivors of all campaigns, who lived and died with their memories of loss in battle; as well as those who “…..like sweet hyacinth were mowed down in the flower of their youth….” in service to their countries or families. (Trying to quote part of an old poem my Grandfather couldn’t even remember for sure. . . but tried.)
R.I.P and thank you for your service, both man and beast.
redmm97
May 28, 2012 at 6:32 am
I can sum this up in one word…..BEAUTIFUL!!
Carol & Griffin
May 28, 2012 at 4:44 am
Great post! I could not agree more! I never fails to baffle me how people can see all the ways horses have served man & remained by their side through thick and thin and yet still think it’s o.k. to inhumanely slaughter them. Some people simply disgust me…
delia1979
May 28, 2012 at 3:03 am
Reblogged this on delia1979.
Debbie Stoutamire
May 27, 2012 at 8:56 pm
I’m so glad you wrote this Jerry. I’ve had horses on my mind all weekend. Can’t wait to see them tomorrow at the Habitat. To me, they are the true heroes.