We Remember?

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His faithful servants. Psalm 116:15

This weekend, we as a nation pause to remember and honor our veterans. It is important for us to remember every veteran-past, present, and future for many reasons but especially because service in the military changes lives. These men and women give the best years of their lives in service to their country. Some give the ultimate sacrifice,but all military personnel sacrifice whether they are stationed during a time of peace or a time of war.

We, as a thankful nation, should never forget to remember those who have made the sacrifice for us and our freedom. Memorial Day is a day to remember those who died while serving our country, but many Americans will be too busy to stop and remember. We are eager to celebrate the holiday, but we forget why we are celebrating!

It reminds me of a story about a guy named John who had a serious memory problem. One day he ran into his friend Bill, who he hadn’t seen in a long time. “Bill,” he said,”do you remember what a bad memory I had?” “I certainly do,” said Bill. “Well,” said John, “I went to a seminar that taught us how to remember things! It was great and now I have a wonderful memory.”

Bill replied, “That’s great! What’s the name of the seminar?” “Well,” John said, “just a minute, my wife went with me. I’ll ask her.” He turned and saw his wife nearby by. Then he turned back to Bill and asked, “What’s the name of that flower with thorns, a long stem, and red blooms?” Bill guessed, “Do you mean a rose?” “Yes, that’s it! Thanks, Bill.” John said, “Hey Rose, what’s the name of that seminar we attended?”

Some people just forget. We get so busy or distracted that the sacrifices made on our behalf just get overlooked. I think the best way we can honor those who gave their life for our freedom is to live a life worthy of their sacrifice.

First, live a life that an American ought to live as a follower of Christ. If we don’t remember, let me remind you that we were founded on Christian principles – One Nation Under God. President George Washington said, “It is impossible to govern the world without God and the Bible.”

Next, we need to be aware of the price of freedom. Many times we take this freedom for granted and mistakenly assume that every country lives this way. We have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, but that’s a rare thing in this world.

Finally, we need to remember that we have an obligation to teach our children and grand children what our freedom cost so many. Many of us have lived through some horrific wars, but most of those that are coming behind us have never been taught the price of our freedom.

Memorial Day is about remembering. It’s about remembering our heritage, our roots, and our heroes.

General George Patton said, It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather, we should thank God that such men lived.

Freedom makes a huge requirement of every human being. With freedom comes responsibility. Eleanor Roosevelt

Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same. Ronald Reagan

It doesn’t take a hero to order men into battle. It takes a hero to be one of those men who goes into battle. Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf

Thank you to all the brave men and women who have fought unselfishly for the freedom of America. God bless you!

O beautiful for heroes proved in liberating strife, Who more than self their country loved and mercy more than life. America, America, May God thy gold refine; Til all success be nobleness and every gain divine. America the Beautiful by Katerine Lee Bates