Memorial Day message

The Gospel of John, Chapter 15, verse 13 tells us: There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends (creation / countrymen).

Now, Memorial Day is often confused by people; they want to “Thank” me and other veterans for our service in the Armed Forces.  That’s nice, and much appreciated – but, “please” remember – Memorial Day is a day to remember and Honor those who gave the last full measure for our freedom…their very life.  They DID NOT come home.  They left behind Mom’s, Dad’s, Wives, Husbands, Children, Brothers, Sisters, all other relatives and loved ones.  Add to that those who came home SO BROKEN that either they could NOT pick up their lives; or they sustained injuries that eventually caused untimely deaths, directly attributable to their wartime injuries – unremoved shrapnel, bullets lodged in a spine that one day move and it’s “over,” paralyzed bodies, barely able to function.

THAT is Memorial Day.  Their Day.  A day for you to PRAY for their families, those with an “unfillable” space at the table – there so we could enjoy the freedoms we so often take for granted.

And here’s the “almost funny” thing – I know that, although they appreciate you remembering especially their loved ones on Memorial Day – they are, if they take the time from enjoying Heaven, most thrilled that you have such freedom that you have a hard time remembering their sacrifice.  Weird huh.  But true.  They gave their lives, and some their livelihood and then their lives, so you “could” enjoy that Hot Dog, that Burger, Soda or Beer, without a tear, but rather with with LIBERTY and FREEDOM!  That’s WHY they jumped on those grenades; that’s WHY they rushed those machine gun nests; that’s WHY they scaled those walls on D-Day, giving their lives by the hundreds – for OUR Freedom – yes, a Freedom so pervasive, that it often causes us to forget the cost of it.

I have a t-shirt with a well-worn saying that really says it all – I’ll close with A SLIGHT REWRITE OF that:

ONLY TWO DEFINING FORCES HAVE EVER OFFERED TO DIE FOR YOU

JESUS CHRIST AND THE VETERAN

ONE DIED TO RELEASE YOUR SOUL FROM BONDAGE; 

ON MEMORIAL DAY WE CELEBRATE THOSE AMONG THE VETERANS WHO DIED FOR YOUR EARTHLY FREEDOM.

Now don’t be maudlin about their sacrifice today, honor it by celebrating the FREEDOM they paid for.

God Bless You, One Pilgrim…OUT!