"They shall mount up with wings like eagles , They shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)
Another Day of Memories
Another Memorial Day is drawing to a close and I pretty much followed the same routine that my husband and I used to follow. I ate a ceremonial hot dog, watched tons of war movies and generally did a lot of thinking.
I hope many folks out there gathered with family, had a picnic, went to the lake, took lots of pictures, got some fresh air—whatever families do when they gather. But I also hope that the meaning of the day was held in the hearts of most Americans. This was a day for me to pause and think of all the men and women who gave their lives, shed their blood, put their lives on the line for me and others like me today, long before I even hit the ground on this ol’ orb. Of course the war that looms large in my mind is WWII, where my Dad spent his war days.
When one sees documentaries on WWII it is astonishing that my father returned. He came home bearing a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. Many received these medals, but those I have upstairs in his foot locker are more precious to me than rubies. You see, in my family we are very serious about the shedding of blood. No cowards that I know of, but men who were willing to go and bleed if the cause was great enough. It was and it still is.
Wikipedia states:
“Memorial Day (originally known as Decoration Day) is a federal holiday in the United States for mourning the U.S. military personnel who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. It is observed on the last Monday of May at national cemeteries, by placing flowers and American flags on graves of military personnel. It was formerly observed on May 30 from 1868 to 1970.
Many people visit cemeteries and memorials on Memorial Day to honor and mourn those who died while serving in the U.S. military. Many volunteers place an American flag on graves of military personnel in national cemeteries. Memorial Day is also considered the unofficial beginning of summer in the United States."
I do honor all those who died and made the ultimate sacrifice. But I also honor in my heart those who went and returned, for their participation is key to my having any kind of freedom right now.
There are many things amiss today as I look around the US, but I choose to move on, write my representatives, speak up for what I believe in and always pray to God for a continuance of the freedom that was do dearly purchased by those who gave all.
So, by all means gather with your loved ones, have that food fest, swim, laugh and generally enjoy Memorial Days yet to come. They are precious days that were paid for by those who went before. Please never forget those valiant ones who died for you and this country.