Memorial Day Flags—eddiecoyote (Flickr.com)
Things to Remember on Memorial Day
On Memorial Day We Remember Our Patriots
Merriam Webster defines patriot as “one who loves his or her country and supports its authority and interests.”
Note the first key phrase: “One who loves…”
a. Love Requires Sacrifice
Love requires sacrifice, and who has sacrificed more than the American Soldier? In just over two-hundred years loved ones have waved the final good-bye to more than one million men and women who go to oppose tyranny and defend the helpless oppressed.
John 15:13 says, “No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends.”
These patriots have freely and valiantly sacrificed their lives upon the altar of freedom for you and for me.
b. Love Requires Service
Note the second key phrase: “and supports.” The American Soldier serves his nation that our way of life may continue.
It is the soldier,
not the reporter,
Who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the soldier,
not the poet,
Who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the soldier,
not the campus organizer,
Who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.
It is the soldier,
Who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
and whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protester to burn the flag.
On Memorial Day We Remember Our Heroes
Merriam Webster defines hero as, “one that shows great courage.”
A person normally becomes courageous by performing an extraordinary and praiseworthy deed.
From the beginning American Soldiers have epitomized the word hero and demonstrated uncommon valor.
The American Revolution found courageous soldiers to fight for independence. Tyranny discovered fierce opposition in World Wars I and II. Faithfulness was found in Vietnam and Korea. And now, terror is answered in Iraq. The American Soldier stands for what is right because duty calls. He defends. She assists. He serves. They are heroes.
On Memorial Day We Remember Our Freedom
Freedom is the motivation of the American Soldier because, like most Americans, they believe that “all Men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their Creator, with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.” The American Soldier sacrifices and dies to this end.
I am proud to remind you of the reasons for Memorial Day. It is a day to honor our patriots and heroes. We remember their sacrifices. We remember their final good-byes. We remember their blood.
Today as you enjoy your day off and go about your regular business, my challenge to you is to remember the Patriots. Remember the Heroes. Remember your Freedom.
