Early November brings darkening days and what are now rather melancholy memories. Today marks the fall of the Berlin Wall, a strike for freedom; tomorrow the birthday of the US Marine Corps, and 11 Nov is Remembrance Day (Veterans Day in the US), honoring those who served in the cause of freedom.
As a teenager visiting West Berlin, I took this photo of the Brandenburg Gate over the Berlin Wall. What I remember most from that trip is standing on a platform overlooking the Wall. There was a road leading to the East Berlin side, but the passage was closed and guarded, and the traffic light at the gateway shone red. Always red.
It had a profound effect on me. I was old enough to understand a little of what my military father did and the sacrifices it required. And I spent a good part of my life doing my best to serve and forward the cause of freedom.
Today, I grieve to see the ideology that built this wall still encroaching on the freedom of others. And I grieve even more to see the division in my own country, where those meant to serve are more focused on building walls of political ideology than bridges – while our country waits at the red light.
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