Remember
By Robin Kiley
The Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:8 of the New Testament wrote:
"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-mediate on these things."
Memorial Day and the virtues of those who died in service of our nation are worthy of our prayers and reflection.
On May 30, 1868, just three years after the end of the Civil War, Americans came together on Decoration Day to pay tribute and remember the sacrifices of blood and life made by the soldiers serving in the Union and Confederate armies. It was a day of solemn remembrance and unity - a day in which Americans of all races and backgrounds came together at Arlington National Cemetery and other ceremonies across the country to decorate graves with spring flowers, prayers and respect to the sacrifice and service made by Civil War soldiers buried there.
Guilt and judgement are not meted out to those who won or lost in the struggle, but solemn prayers extended to all who answered a call to serve and paid the noble price of sacrifice with their lives. Scripture is clear that no man, only a just and righteous God, can judge another. All are called to forgiveness and reconciliation, as God forgives us. The scourge of slavery ended, but the struggle for justice and righteousness for all continues. So we meditate on the ideals of liberty and virtues of sacrifice and service as we remember our fallen soldiers on Memorial Day to stir our mind, body and soul to be courageous and stand for what is right, just and true in the world.
It was only after World War I that Decoration Day, now known as Memorial Day, was broadened to remember all men and women who died serving our nation in the armed forces. Since the American Revolutionary War, over 1.3 million men and women in the U.S. armed forces have died in service to the ideals of liberty and peace.
While Memorial Weekend is a wonderful time to welcome the beginning of summer with family and friends, it is also a time all Americans should reflect on our blessings of liberty and peace that others died to preserve.
We owe our fallen heroes not only a debt of gratitude and solemn remembrance, but the responsibility to be vigilant and true to the preservation of our liberty and Constitution lest indifference and apathy overtake us. History demands we remember its lessons. As citizens of this great nation, we must continue to battle for the noble virtues of justice, righteousness, liberty and freedom for all, just as the men and women we honor on this Memorial Day did for us. Let us stand for what is true, right, just and good in our homes, in our community and in our businesses and serve those who need our help, time and treasure.
One hundred fifty years ago, General John Logan said over the graves of Arlington National Cemetery:
"Let us, in this solemn presence, renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us as sacred charges upon the nation's gratitude- the soldier's and the sailor's widow and orphan."
Yes, let each bear the responsibility to uphold liberty in our daily lives, to remember our heroes, fallen and alive, and to teach the importance of freedom and service to the next generation of Americans that follow. Our children learn by our actions. Let us be an example of service worthy of following. The men and women who served and died for our nation are that noble example for us.
You can make Memorial Day a day of service:
-Pray for our U.S. government and all who serve in political office and the armed forces that they will be guided by the righteousness and truth of God and HIs good and perfect will in the exercise of their positions and that they and our nation will be blessed by God in our honorable service of HIm.
-Raise the U.S. Flag to half-staff before noon on your doorstep.
-Participate in a parade or cemetery memorial service in your community.
-Write a note or call a veteran and veteran families you know and thank them or respectfully extend a word of sincere gratitude and thanks to a veteran you see in public.
-Contribute or volunteer to help local veteran organizations in your community that assist those serving or who have served in the armed forces, those who have lost loved ones in military service, and veteran families with family actively deployed or retired.
-Always exercise your liberty to remain informed and educated on the issues and vote. These rights are privileges secured by the sacrifices and lives of our heroes.
Let us lead lives worthy of the privileges of liberty and peace and the price paid for them.
"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-mediate on these things."
Memorial Day and the virtues of those who died in service of our nation are worthy of our prayers and reflection.
On May 30, 1868, just three years after the end of the Civil War, Americans came together on Decoration Day to pay tribute and remember the sacrifices of blood and life made by the soldiers serving in the Union and Confederate armies. It was a day of solemn remembrance and unity - a day in which Americans of all races and backgrounds came together at Arlington National Cemetery and other ceremonies across the country to decorate graves with spring flowers, prayers and respect to the sacrifice and service made by Civil War soldiers buried there.
Guilt and judgement are not meted out to those who won or lost in the struggle, but solemn prayers extended to all who answered a call to serve and paid the noble price of sacrifice with their lives. Scripture is clear that no man, only a just and righteous God, can judge another. All are called to forgiveness and reconciliation, as God forgives us. The scourge of slavery ended, but the struggle for justice and righteousness for all continues. So we meditate on the ideals of liberty and virtues of sacrifice and service as we remember our fallen soldiers on Memorial Day to stir our mind, body and soul to be courageous and stand for what is right, just and true in the world.
It was only after World War I that Decoration Day, now known as Memorial Day, was broadened to remember all men and women who died serving our nation in the armed forces. Since the American Revolutionary War, over 1.3 million men and women in the U.S. armed forces have died in service to the ideals of liberty and peace.
While Memorial Weekend is a wonderful time to welcome the beginning of summer with family and friends, it is also a time all Americans should reflect on our blessings of liberty and peace that others died to preserve.
We owe our fallen heroes not only a debt of gratitude and solemn remembrance, but the responsibility to be vigilant and true to the preservation of our liberty and Constitution lest indifference and apathy overtake us. History demands we remember its lessons. As citizens of this great nation, we must continue to battle for the noble virtues of justice, righteousness, liberty and freedom for all, just as the men and women we honor on this Memorial Day did for us. Let us stand for what is true, right, just and good in our homes, in our community and in our businesses and serve those who need our help, time and treasure.
One hundred fifty years ago, General John Logan said over the graves of Arlington National Cemetery:
"Let us, in this solemn presence, renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us as sacred charges upon the nation's gratitude- the soldier's and the sailor's widow and orphan."
Yes, let each bear the responsibility to uphold liberty in our daily lives, to remember our heroes, fallen and alive, and to teach the importance of freedom and service to the next generation of Americans that follow. Our children learn by our actions. Let us be an example of service worthy of following. The men and women who served and died for our nation are that noble example for us.
You can make Memorial Day a day of service:
-Pray for our U.S. government and all who serve in political office and the armed forces that they will be guided by the righteousness and truth of God and HIs good and perfect will in the exercise of their positions and that they and our nation will be blessed by God in our honorable service of HIm.
-Raise the U.S. Flag to half-staff before noon on your doorstep.
-Participate in a parade or cemetery memorial service in your community.
-Write a note or call a veteran and veteran families you know and thank them or respectfully extend a word of sincere gratitude and thanks to a veteran you see in public.
-Contribute or volunteer to help local veteran organizations in your community that assist those serving or who have served in the armed forces, those who have lost loved ones in military service, and veteran families with family actively deployed or retired.
-Always exercise your liberty to remain informed and educated on the issues and vote. These rights are privileges secured by the sacrifices and lives of our heroes.
Let us lead lives worthy of the privileges of liberty and peace and the price paid for them.
