With the official holiday falling on the last Monday in May, Memorial Day naturally marks the beginning of summer. School is out for most students. June weddings are just around the corner. For those who live a bit further north, swimming pools are often opened over the Memorial Day weekend. And, many people also enjoy a three-day weekend. Of course, the Indianapolis 500 merits a mention, right? This weekend marks the beginning of exciting times for many.
In spite of all the picnics and camping trips, there is a solemn side to this holiday. Since its inception, Memorial Day has been a special time set aside to remember those who have given their lives in service to our country in order to secure and protect our freedoms. My hope is that we will all take a few minutes over the next couple of days to focus on what makes Memorial Day special.
For me, it is impossible to think of Memorial Day without remembering a relative who was killed in Vietnam. To the best of my recollection I never met him. But, I do remember sitting through his memorial service with him staring at me from the framed, glossy photograph, which was displayed on a table next to his flag-draped casket. I also remember how sobering it was when I located his name on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. SP4 Gail Lynn Strickland was a member of the Army’s 101st Airborne. He was killed when his helicopter was shot down in Vietnam on August 12, 1971, one month short of his nineteenth birthday. His memory and the memory of many others who served and gave their lives in this war are always close to my heart on Memorial Day.
This year’s Memorial Day is made special because of a new friend I’m just getting to know. His name is Jim. He lives next door. He is a veteran of World War II. Like most of his generation and almost all who have witnessed the horrors of war, he doesn’t talk a lot about his experiences. Still, we have talked enough for me to develop an appreciation for him and his unselfish service to our nation. We have visited while mending the fence between our backyards. I’ve gained fresh insights into why his is known as the greatest generation. These times have also underscored the fact that this generation is fast slipping into the annals of history. If you know people like Jim, I hope you will take a few minutes to thank them for their service. Let them know, also, that you can appreciate why this holiday might be especially difficult for them. After all, most of them are probably remembering the loss of many of their comrades-in-arms in horrific battlefield conditions or prison camps.
So, what makes Memorial Day special? Well, that’s simple. It is special to me for two reasons. First, because it helps me remember the great price that has been paid throughout our nation’s history in an effort to realize and protect our freedoms. Remembering the price that has been paid for these freedoms helps me to more fully appreciate their value. Second, because it reminds me to pray for peace. You see, this holiday shines a huge spot light on the hideous nature of war. When we are told about God’s grief over human depravity in Genesis 6:11 we read these words: “Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight and was full of violence.” So, while I am and will always be thankful for those who protect us from the malicious intents of others, one of the things I am going to remember to pray about this Memorial Day is that God will help us find less violent, non-violent ways of solving our differences.
© Bill Williams
2009.05.23
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Bill, Had to comment on this article. I was fortunate to have a step-dad that was from that great generation. They knew the greatness of duty and putting others first. It wasn’t until late in his life my step-dad ever shared a story about any of the combat he experenced. This story was more about thinking about family instead of himself.
He was in a major engagment where they were trying to advance up a hill. There was artiliary pounding the ground just a few hundered feet in front of his unit. At times they were hand to hand with the enemy. Also the enemy was very good a tunneling so they had to constantly keep watch behind them to make sure they were not surprised.
One of his buddies made him aware he had heen wounded in the arm. My step-dad looked at the wound determined it was not life threating. But in that horrible moment of the battle he thougth of his family. He had just recieved word a few days before about his youngest sister and two cousins being killed in a house fire. One of his other sisters had nearly died a couple of weeks prior to that and the last word from home was his dad was having serious health issues.
Instead of withdrawing himself to an aide station for medical care and taking himself out of the battle, he chose to wrap the wound himself and go on. He figured that his family was dealing with enough. He knew that if he went for medical help there would be a letter sent home about him being wounded. He would of recieved a Purple Heart, but did not want to add to their worry.
This is just a glimpst of the character he had and many from that generation.
This weekend is about honoring those who were lost, let us not forget those who have served and are currently serving.
May God Bless all of us!
Thanks for your sharing this, Mike. Your step-dad truly was a special man, who epitomized the qualities that earned his contemporaries the moniker of greatest generation.
Bill,
Thanks for these thoughts. It seems that Memorial Day means more as I get older. You know when your young it signals the beginning of summer vacation…the pool opening up, etc. As a young professional I looked forward to Memorial Day because it was a 3 day weekend and extra day off from work.
But now I take the time to remember those who have fallen to provide for my freedom. I will never truly understand their willingness to sacrifice for people that they will never meet, for people who truly don’t appreciate what they’ve done, and for people who protest what they are doing. Still these brave men and women continue to serve, it truly is amazing when you think about it.
I also usually will have a deeper communion experience on the Sunday before Memorial Day because as I reflect on these veterans, it reminds of the selfless sacrifice of Christ that gives me true freedom in a deeper more meaningful way.
I too pray for peace and peaceful to work out our problems, but alas as long as we breathe air on this side of the grave we’ll not know true peace, only in the world to come will we know that.
Jeff
Thanks for your comment, Jeff. Thanks, also, for pointing us in the direction of true peace!
Thanks for your thoughts Bill. I always like reading your Blog.
Memorial Day is a day I remember the cost of freedom and liberty. I remember the lessons I have read in books,movies,and stories by Veterans that I can recall. All about bravery,selflessness,and service to our Country and way of life. I never served in the military and could never truly understand the sacrifice that was given.
I do appreciate that I can Worship my God peacefully. I can be a Christian without the threat of being victimized by my belief in Jesus Christ as Lord. I also can vote,choose my lifestyle,and obtain happiness if I work hard,and express my opinion without going to prison or executed for saying it.
The sacrifice that protected these rights ( a lot of volunteers I might add) is what I remember. The cost to families is also remembered. I can only imagine.
I too wish and pray for peace on earth. But today I pray for peace to our Vets and their families that are still defending me at home in the Air Conditioning I enjoy as well.
Blessings
Thanks for your comment, Larry. As we gather tomorrow to worship God, I will be thinking of those who have given life and limb to help secure and preserve this freedom. Thanks for reminding us of all the freedoms we have at the expense of others who were willing to sacrifice on our behalf.