Is it the beginning of summer?
Is it just a day off work?
Is it an excuse for a big cookout and fireworks show?
It is SO much more!
Memorial Day is a federal holiday to honor those men and women in the armed services of our country who gave their lives to preserve freedom and liberty.
They gave the ultimate gift - their all. They died defending our country. They did not come home alive. Sometimes their bodies could not even be found to return for burial. Sometimes the bodies returned, but were not able to be identified.
Parades to honor veterans and those lost in battles are held in big and small towns across the country. Fireworks shows are set off in the dark May night. Small American flags are often taken to the cemeteries along with red, white, and blue flowers to decorate the graves of veterans of all wars.
What do you remember about Memorial Day celebrations?
We lived near a very old cemetery when I was in elementary school. We students were conscripted to go to the old cemetery, with its black wrought iron fence surrounding it, to decorate the graves of any veterans buried there. We had little American flags to stick in the ground in front of their tombstones. I remember we had to read the darkened letters and sometimes crumbling brick grave markers to see who we should honor with our colorful flags.
When I was in the Philippines, I visited the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial where more than 17,000 American service members are buried. Nearly 36,300 missing in action or lost at sea are also remembered and honored there. I can still picture the sunny, beautiful day I stood looking over the seemingly endless tombstones spread over the bright green grass and the grief I felt.
When we took our sons to Arlington Cemetery and the Vietnam Memorial to see, read names, and remember fallen soldiers—-I hoped they would understand the cost of our liberty and freedom.
The Bible tells us in John 15:13 “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
But how to be free from sin and death?
John 3:16 teaches: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Have you accepted the gift of forgiveness and eternal life from Jesus Christ and made Him your Lord and Savior?
He is the ultimate conqueror of Satan! And He rose to life again leaving his grave behind.
As will all those who accept and follow Him!
To Him belong all honor and glory and praise and remembrance!
