Memorial Day

May 25, 2007

Once again, we are embroiled in another war, a new kind of war in that we are not facing a standing Army as in past wars, but an insurgency that easily blends in with the crowd and comes out just to inflict terror on any and every one they can. Quite possibly this is the worst enemy we have faced as a nation.

To be sure, some of our Brave Troops will give their lives to keep the terrorists away from our shores and others will return home maimed and broken.

Since 1868, one day out of the entire year has been set aside just to remember these Brave Souls that gave everything they had and didn’t return. Sadly, to many of our citizens the day merely means a three-day weekend and barbecues.

Memorial Day is so much more.

Many have given their lives so that we may be free to enjoy the fruits of our labors. Those brave souls lie in cold graves; some in desolate areas and cannot enjoy the freedom they gave us. Over 3,000 have joined their ranks in this current War on Terror, as have thousands before them. This time, unlike before, all were Volunteers.

While many women have died at the hands of our enemies, it has been mostly the men that went to war and gave their lives. This war is different in that more women are in combat areas and they too are sacrificing their lives to keep us free back here in America.

For those that believe in the Christian Bible, John 15:13 tells us “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” Our fallen heroes have shown that ‘greater love,’ the least we can do is remember them one day out of an entire year.

Memorial Day isn’t a day to stump for politicians, make speech’s to garner support for whatever view we may have or to just barbecue in the backyard. It is a day we have set aside just to pay homage to those that sacrificed all they had for our freedom.

General George S. Patton is credited with saying, "It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived." That is exactly why we hold Memorial Day each year, to pay homage to our dead from war and to thank God they stood up between our enemies and us.

As we take time from watching the races, barbecuing, shopping or just enjoying the first three-day weekend of the summer to honor these who sacrificed for us, remember too that many more stood alongside of those who were taken from us and came home. While we set the day aside to pay respects to our fallen, reach out to those that survived and came home, broken in body or spirit or whole. Not all performed heroic acts, but all are heroes for being there when needed.

Most all of us know a Veteran. Be it a father, brother, son, daughter, mother, aunt, uncle, cousin, niece, nephew or maybe the neighborhood grouch. Say a prayer, show respects at a cemetery, watch a parade or just take a moment of silence. Then, reach out to the Veterans you know and just say, “Thank You.” Don’t be surprised to see tears well up in their eyes or their voices crack with emotion.

Such a little thing in return for all they have given.

I hope you all enjoy the Memorial Day weekend, but please, make time to remember why we have it.

Lew