Showing posts with label remembrance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label remembrance. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 01, 2010

Many didn't remember the military dead on Memorial Day

How many actually remembered the dead yesterday?

Yesterday was Memorial Day. It was designed for the nation to pay tribute to those who died in defense of our nation. Freedom comes with a very high price, for thousands that price was their lives.

During our worship service Sunday we offered special words of tribute to the families of slain veterans. We were surprised to see the number of families touched by military service, past and present. Memorial Day to them has a special meaning.

On yesterday there were many programs, ceremonies and tributes across the nation, but unfortunately they were dwarfed by millions who did not honor the fallen in any way. There were no flags placed on the graves of loved ones in their families. No flags flown outside of homes, even though they received one at the funeral of their loved one. There were no family reflections on the life and contributions of family members to this nation's history through military service. -To many Memorial Day was just a long weekend, which many began by taking off last Friday.

Beaches, shopping, parties and chilling out; that was Memorial Day for too many.

However, each tombstone in Arlington National Cemetery and other grave sites across the nation and beside distant battlefields reminds us of the price of our freedoms. It deserves respect. I didn't serve in the military. My brother was a Marine; one of my sons was a Marine. My father in law died in the military. Military service touched our family. (My wife calls herself an Army Brat.) We talk about her father's service and document his involvement all through the year.

We remember.

Revelation 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

Amen.