In contemplating my fallen brothers and sisters, I have to wonder: Does the Jedi Path give any direction on how we should honor fallen service members?
When Gabriel Calderon brought up a suggestion Sunday on International Jedi Federation, I actually had an idea. When we look at Joseph Campbell's work, a vital key to the inspiration for Star Wars, we find that historically our ancestors honored each other by telling the stories of the people they celebrated. They tied their own creative means to the art of story-telling, so why not do something in a similar fashion?
Thing is, I’m a bit late in even crafting the idea, but I’m going to do it anyway and have it available for those of you seeking an answer next year to look at. Unlike the Labyrinths Gabriel and I designed, this is a very loose kind of ceremony that has guidelines. Appropriately, it’s being named “The Veteran’s Journey”.
Guidelines:
1) The set up may depend greatly upon your preferences. It can be through a Labyrinth, down a trail, or even as a Pagan Circle. The point isn’t the set up, but rather the Story.
2) At least 4 Facilitators, if you wanted to set this up as a full on re-enactment or similar to Haunted House, it could get quite interesting. This ceremony is written with the intent that the community should be allowed to come out to experience the story. If this is done in a circle, one narrator is fine, but they should take great effort to make turn the story into it's own form of theatre.
3) A Battle Story that ends with the death of at least one veteran, preferably to honor a local veteran. If there are multiple casualties in the battle, please include them as well (as many as you can. This story will need to be divided amongst all but one facilitator who will be at the end of the trail. The final facilitator will need a form of Eulogy that talks about how this battle was of benefit to anyone. If one cannot be found, then the conclusion should read, something to the effect of: “ (Rank, Name) gave his/her/their life knowing that Freedom isn’t Free. Let us honor his/her/their sacrifice.”
4) Each person needs a Beer, at least enough to fill a 3 oz Dixie-Cup. The Beer isn’t for you. It’s for the fallen. If you have underage persons present, use a non-alcoholic malt beverage as a substitute. The Final Facilitator will hand out the beer to each person present and instruct them not to do anything until it’s their turn. When everyone has a beer in hand, the facilitator will ask each person to say why they are thankful for the country and/or people the fallen fought for and after an individual announces their reason they will pour out their cup on the ground saying “I will do my best to ensure your sacrifice was not in vain.”
5) If you are hosting this as a small group, have a party afterwards. In life, our fallen would have loved a good party celebrating the freedom afforded to them after their hard work.
As Jedi, we find our inspiration in stories all around us. It doesn't have to come from fiction either. By listening to the stories of our fallen, we are demonstrating that "Respect for all Life" isn't just about the ones alive today- but also the lives of those in our past which contributed to who we are as a living breathing nation today.
Have a wonderful Memorial Day, Jedi.