A Memorial Day Weekend Remembrance.
Every year, Americans begin their unofficial start to summer with a holiday, the last Monday of May marked on our calendars as “Memorial Day.”
I’d like to approach this solemn day from a different perspective this year. Memorial Day isn’t about picnics, pool parties, cookouts, going to the beach, NASCAR events, horse racing or baseball and the like. All of these activities are fun don’t get me wrong. But just for a brief moment, let's just respectfully pause and offer a prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord for the ultimate sacrifice of some individuals, anonymous to most of us personally, yet their sacrifice serves as the cornerstones to the stability we all enjoy.
I may have shared this story with you previously but I think it's apropos today. A couple of years ago, we were traveling in the plush countryside of the Normandy region of France on vacation. We visited a cemetery of fallen D-Day soldiers from the UK and the Commonwealth. I randomly came upon the grave of a 16 year boy who died fighting in France. I quietly stood adjacent to his resting place with the sun just peaking over the trees on the solemn grounds. I briefly allowed myself to image for a moment what he could have looked like as I basked in the tranquil sea of silence all around me. I wondered if he ever kissed a girl or raised a beer to his chums in a smoke-filled pub. He was so young; he probably wasn’t married and probably had no children. I assume he didn’t complete any formal education and was unable to pursue a career in one of his interests. Yet, by his actions he valiantly served because he believed in putting everything on the line to preserve what is so dear to a lot of us - freedom. He placed himself in the path of tyranny and didn’t move. It cost him his life. So for all of those in the past, who served in wars and conflicts preserving freedom for others - people they never met: I simply say, THANK YOU. I humbly salute you and offer my gratitude for your ultimate sacrifice. You are a real hero.
If you are so inclined please offer the following prayer with me.
“Lord, thank you for watching over our country; preserving her for 250 years. Lord, please continue to help our nation be that beacon for those who yearn for the gifts of freedom of expression and ability to worship You - unrestricted by government or our enemies. We honor those who died protecting the our nation and way of life. Bless those they left behind and with our sincerest gratitude Lord please comfort them always through their personal loss. And finally, I ask Lord, show me ways I can honor those who died by rolling up my sleeves and working hard to preserve the greatest country in human history. In Jesus' Name we pray, Amen.”
God Bless America.
Wishing you and your family, a blessed Memorial Day.