I can think of few things which magnify our commonalities more than grieving the loss of a life. It seems to be the great common denominator. That pain from which no one can escape, even more so than remembering. Still on Memorial Day all across the country we do just that. For today we commemorate all the young men and women that have fought so proudly and honorably for our nation and have paid for with their lives, many of the freedoms we know today.
From the Revolutionary War to the war in Iraq, today we celebrate and remember the fallen as a group. For Memorial Day is not about division. It is about reconciliation, it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all. But with the planning’s of outings and such it seem to me that The "Memorial" in Memorial Day has been ignored by too many of us who are beneficiaries of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice.
So today and everyday I humbly ask that we observe the day in this way. That we actively remember our ancestors, our family members, our loved ones, our neighbors and our friends who have made the ultimate sacrifice and to be reminded to live worthy of the cost that was paid, as well as be thankful to those heroes who have died in conflicts and wars.
I cant imagine what it must be like to face each day on a potential battle field, doing what you do, knowing that each day may be your last. Rising to the call to bravely protect a way of life knowing that you may not have the opportunity to enjoy it. Leaving your family and friends and all that you hold dear behind, knowing each time that it may be the last time. No I can not imagine this and thanks to the heroes we honor today, I don’t have to. So I can, at the very least, remember. But for whom this holiday is not just diversion, but a painful memory and continued deprivation. Be blessed. Those whose dear ones have died in what appears to be needlessly, wastefully accident or misadventure. Be blessed.
Today we remember with compassion and gratitude those who have died serving their countries in the futility of combat. No one can escape to question death asks of us, but God has provided those of us who have not yet been asked with an answer.
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."
Let us all take comfort in knowing that there are heroes who stand ready to do what it takes to continue to protect us even as we go about our day and let us never forget to honor, support and respect them for all that they do and have done for us.
From the Revolutionary War to the war in Iraq, today we celebrate and remember the fallen as a group. For Memorial Day is not about division. It is about reconciliation, it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all. But with the planning’s of outings and such it seem to me that The "Memorial" in Memorial Day has been ignored by too many of us who are beneficiaries of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice.
So today and everyday I humbly ask that we observe the day in this way. That we actively remember our ancestors, our family members, our loved ones, our neighbors and our friends who have made the ultimate sacrifice and to be reminded to live worthy of the cost that was paid, as well as be thankful to those heroes who have died in conflicts and wars.
I cant imagine what it must be like to face each day on a potential battle field, doing what you do, knowing that each day may be your last. Rising to the call to bravely protect a way of life knowing that you may not have the opportunity to enjoy it. Leaving your family and friends and all that you hold dear behind, knowing each time that it may be the last time. No I can not imagine this and thanks to the heroes we honor today, I don’t have to. So I can, at the very least, remember. But for whom this holiday is not just diversion, but a painful memory and continued deprivation. Be blessed. Those whose dear ones have died in what appears to be needlessly, wastefully accident or misadventure. Be blessed.
Today we remember with compassion and gratitude those who have died serving their countries in the futility of combat. No one can escape to question death asks of us, but God has provided those of us who have not yet been asked with an answer.
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."
Let us all take comfort in knowing that there are heroes who stand ready to do what it takes to continue to protect us even as we go about our day and let us never forget to honor, support and respect them for all that they do and have done for us.
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