Sadness

Mamaroneck, NY

Sadness is an appropriate emotion for the Memorial Day here in the USA as we remember the brave men and women of the armed forces that died in battle, the brave men and women who died in the service of humanity whether it be a police officer, fire fighter, scientist, nurse, or another civilian.

Controversial or not (especially since this is not meant and should not insult the memory of our countless heroes who have died in valor, serving country and humanity), it is also appropriate to remember Harambe, a gorilla at the Cincinnati Zoo who was killed while protecting a young 4 year-old boy who had fallen into his exhibit. To me, the only reason he had dragged the boy so quickly across the water was because of the noise and confusion of the crowd and the fact that he did not want the young child to inhale water and possibly drown. If it had been another person who had rescued and comforted this young child, I doubt such a hasty decision would have been made to shoot. He is clearly an innocent victim of our misguided anthropocentric attitude. I guess this clearly and tragically epitomizes the saying, "No good deed goes unpunished."

Considering, "There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends" [John 15:13] - it is only appropriate that people are laying flowers for Harambe and have contributed enough funds so that a memorial service can be held to honor is valor and sacrifice.