“In America, cities and towns today flags will be placed on graves in cemeteries, public officials will speak of the sacrifice and the valor of those whose memory we honor. In 1863, when he dedicated a small cemetery in Pennsylvania, marking a terrible collision between the armies of North and South, Abraham Lincoln noted the swift obscurity of such speeches.
“Well, we know now that Lincoln was wrong about that particular occasion, his remarks commemorating those who gave their last full measure of devotion were long remembered. But since that moment at Gettysburg, few other such addresses have become part of our national heritage. Not because of the inadequacy of the speakers, but because of the inadequacy of words. I have no illusions about what little I can add now to the silent testimony of those who gave their lives willingly for their country. Words are even more feeble on this Memorial Day, for the site before us is that of a strong and good nation that stands in silence and remembers those who were loved and who in return loved their countrymen enough to die for them. Yet, we must try to honor them, not for their sakes alone, but for our own. And if words cannot repay the debt we owe these men, surely with our actions, we must strive to keep faith with them and with a vision that led them to battle and a final sacrifice.
“Our first obligation to them and ourselves is plain enough. The United States and freedom for which it stands, the freedom of which they died must endure and prosper. Their lives remind us that freedom is not bought cheaply, it has a cost. It imposes a burden. And just as they, when we commemorate, were willing to sacrifice, so too must we, in a less final, less heroic way be willing to give of ourselves…
“The willingness of some to give their lives so that others might live never fails to evoke in us a sense of wonder and mystery. One gets that feeling here on this hallowed ground. And I have known that same poignant feeling as I looked out across the rows of white crosses and Stars of David in Europe, in the Philippines, in the military cemeteries here in our own land. Each one marks the resting place of an American hero. And in my lifetime, the heroes of World War I, the Doughboys, the GIs of World War II, or Korea or Vietnam. They span several generations of young Americans, all different and yet all alike, like the markers of above their resting places. All alike in a truly meaningful way…
“As we honor their memory today, let us pledge that their lives, their sacrifices, their valor, shall be justified and remembered for as long as God gives life to this nation. And let us also pledge to do our utmost to carry out what must have been their wish, that no other generation of young men will ever have to share their experiences and repeat their sacrifice…”1 (excerpts from President Ronald Reagan’s Memorial Day speech at Arlington National Cemetery, May 31, 1982)
The Veteran Affairs (VA) estimates over 1.3 million U.S. military service members have died in all conflicts since the American Revolution.2 According to defconlevel.com, there are currently 14 active conflicts, 16 tension zones, and 8 nuclear risks. The United States is at Defcon Level 3, meaning that the increase in force readiness is above normal and the Air Force is ready to mobilize in 15 minutes.
I say this only to remind us that by this time next year, there will be even more who will be honored on Memorial Day. There is never a shortage of casualties of war. Thankfully, we always have those who are willing to sacrifice their all for our protection and freedom.
John 15:13 is a verse used frequently on days like this. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” This extreme manifestation of love was exemplified in Jesus. He is the Supreme example of such love. And believers are called to this level of sacrifice.
1 John 3:16 says, “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” We ought to be willing to give the ultimate sacrifice.
As we quietly remember the fallen and honor the gift of their life for ours, may we allow it to motivate us to be sacrificial givers as well. Paul spoke of a good friend, Epaphroditus, who had a spirit worth modeling.
“For indeed he was sick nigh unto death… (30) Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.” (Philippians 2:27, 30)
1https://www.rev.com/transcripts/ronald-reagan-memorial-day-speech-transcript-1982
2https://worldmetrics.org/memorial-day-statistics/
Images are taken from https://pixabay.com/, https://www.pexels.com/, or https://unsplash.com/images or created in Windows Copilot. According to the websites, they are Royalty Free and free to be used for our purposes.
