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This is a special day. We stop whatever we are doing and pause to remember. It is an honorable recollection.
For some of us the BBQ grill is fired up. Guests are making their way over to our home. Food is brought out from the pantry and lining the counters.
Games are scattered throughout the backyard. Little ones will fill the inflatables, pool or field the badminton court. Space will be occupied by special lives.
Sounds will overwhelm the space. Laughter and talking will test our sensory overload limits. Smiles and hugs will dominate our day.
Others will have a traditional journey in their day. They will drive to the family plot at the community cemetery. There fresh flowers will decorate the headstone of a dear loved one.
Next to the flowers an American flag will be inserted into the ground. This was not just a family member that is remembered. Here lies one who died for his or her country.
Yes, Memorial Day is about family and friends. Yes, it is about a day off to relax from the rigors of our labor. Yes, it is about celebrating with food and fun.
Nevertheless, at the heart of this day is why all of these moments for fun and partying were made possible. Those in our armed forces who fought and died for our freedoms is the meaning behind this day. Liberty is a costly privilege.
Some time during this special day, we can deepen the meaning behind our gatherings when we take a moment to look at our American flag and be grateful. Our thankfulness for those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for us would give meaning to our day. It would inject great value into the remembrance of those who died on our behalf.
Then, our gratitude would be a treasured moment. Suddenly, it is not just a day-off but a day of meaning. Life is much more than a time about doing what we want instead of what we have to do.
Listen to a patriotic song and feel your spirit leap. Consider the lyrics of our national anthem and be grateful. Treasure the sight of Old Glory waving in the skies above.
When the red, white and blue come into view, be a thankful citizen. Smile at the thought of those who courageously squared off with the enemy and beat them in battle. Remember the warm tears of loved ones who buried those brave soldiers in the soil that they won for our liberty.
photo credit: brucefong cellphone photography
My traditional place was waiting for me. Repeated services like this had taught me what to look for when the cues were clear. I stood behind the pulpit and welcomed the handful of guests.
No one smiled. Everyone was acting awkward. The few adult men pulled on their collars cinched too tightly because of a quickly tied necktie. Women sniffled with tissues tightly grasped in their hands.
My first duty was to welcome everyone to the service. I read a eulogy. It was a composition created by the family.
It traced the life of the man that we were honoring. His simple casket was suspended over an open grave. The lowering mechanism was silent for a moment. Once I gave the cue to the director, it would be lowered into the earth.
The story of this man’s life seemed bigger than the crowd that had gathered to pay their last respects. There were about a dozen guests. Family members did not take note of the crowd size nor the elements of our simple service.
There was an US military liaison present. He was not there to conduct the service. His only purpose was to direct the firing squad, instruct the honor guard and to present the US flag to the family. Everything else he made clear was in my jurisdiction as the presiding clergy. I was happy to do so.
The family was strangers to me. A local funeral home had made all of the arrangements. It struck me that this loved one was a military hero of sorts.
His exploits and long years of service were recounted in the eulogy that I was reading. It was moving to think that someone who had served his country in two major military conflicts was now being buried and I had the privilege of officiating his final farewell.
The family could see that the life of their loved one was stirring me as I read the account. Several expressed their appreciation. I told them that I am happy to thank them.
Taps was played on a recording by the liaison. The guns fired a salute. A folded USA flag was presented to the family. The service was over quickly. All of the military officials left immediately. The family lingered. I stayed with them. Finally, the family representative that I had been dealing with from the inception came to thank me. Sincerely, I thanked him for his father’s service to our great country.
photo credit: brucefong photography (USA Flag on the Saturn rocket located at NASA, Clear Lake, TX)
Honor is not common among our complicated narcissistic culture. This treasured and noble term describes the heart of a selfless person who would suffer sacrifice before allowing a fellow to be hurt, abused or left helpless.
Many of our military still know this word. It is not just part of their vocabulary but it is their identity. A code governs their choices and their decisions. Honor is at the heart of who they are.
Those who have honor are faithful people. They exude loyalty. Betrayal is never a consideration.
Judas had no honor. After generations have passed he still ranks the highest as the most notorious of betrayers of trust. To turn on someone who trust you is despicable.
On one of the year we formalize those that we celebrate because of the honor that they lives their lives. Our military and veterans have given up so much for the liberty of us all. Tough choices, personal sacrifices and often intense suffering came with the territory that they chose to walk into for the benefit of the rest of us.
Thank you!
Our simple task as fellow Americans is to remember. Just knowing what they did for us. Over the generations they fought bravely, died gallantly and experienced trauma so that our freedoms could be preserved.
Thank you!
When the orders came for our troops to enter into battle, they said Good-bye to family, friends and loved ones. When transports took them to their mission assignments, they no longer looked at themselves but instead to the task at hand. Collectively their service to their country benefitted each of us.
Thank you!
On this day receive our thanks. But, also let us momentarily contemplate your past patriotism. It is your honor that we long to remember.
Thank you!
As a tribute to your American spirit we join with you in celebration of all that God has blessed our nation. Through you we can thank God for the lives that we are free to live. We worship freely and treasure our individual pursuit of happiness because you lived a life of honor for so many.
Thank you!
When words are callously scattered about with diluted meaning, you redefine one of our most treasured terms. The honor you illustrated with your life gives us fresh meaning behind the definition of that special word. You lived with honor, you battle with honor and you gave us a reason to celebrate with honor.
Thank you!
photo credit: brucefong photography
Ancient wise men coined the phrase “A picture is worth ten thousand words.” The human mind can process far faster than words alone. A picture communicates so much so quickly.
On this Memorial Day, a day to remember those who have given their lives so that the rest of us can bask in the blessing of freedom, I share with you the pictures of the season that have moved me. Linger over each one.
Let the lives of those involved and the sacrifices given by these lives touch your spirit. If you’re like me, then, a deep appreciation of gratitude will develop and permanently find a place in your identity. This is an amazing country with astounding military personnel who courageously have stood and fallen for freedom.
These images grabbed my attention. They put other thoughts for this weekend on hold for a moment. Our family activities are a huge priority, but for a moment it was important to remember those who gave everything so that I could be with my family.
This Memorial Day I am thinking of those who lost someone close in the fight and defense of freedom. The last picture touched me deeply. Feelings emerge from that picture like few others can.
This woman lost someone dear to her heart. There is a pain that the rest of us do not know. But, to sense what she is feeling through this photograph makes the rest of us pause.
We are thankful in our enjoyment of freedom. The liberty that marks our lives we celebrate this day because of the courage and sacrifice of our service men and women. Our great country is built not only on what the current events of today may mean but on the history of what has already been spent.
Thank you to all who lost a loved one fighting for the privileges that the rest of us so thoroughly enjoy. Blessings on you from our God whose grace also knows such personal sacrifice for many. God bless America.
photo credit: google images
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