Memorial Day. A day of solemn remembrance of those in the military who gave their lives in service to our country. This holiday started after the Civil War to honor the dead Americans of both the Union and Confederate armies. In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Holiday Act, designating Memorial Day as the last Monday in May, ensuring a three-day weekend.
While it is not wrong, and we should not feel guilty, to enjoy a three-day weekend and celebrate the beginning of summer with a family picnic or BBQ, etc., we should never forget why we celebrate this day in the first place.
In Memoriam
Memorial – The preservation of a memory.
I have grown increasingly sad over the years as I watched people not be able to say what Memorial Day is about, as some say that we should not celebrate it, since they believe it stands for “American imperialism”, or because this nation has a past that they do not like or agree with. My heart breaks when I see my generation, and the younger generations, being taught to hate America and her history, and to look with distaste on the blood spilt for them.
I once heard: “Some people have such short memories, and those that are too young to know need to be taught.”
Today, Americans are not taught about the past: what happened, why we have the holidays we do, and what we can learn from them…today, Americans are taught to hate our country, to hate our history, and to ignore the sacrifices of the many men and women who thought of others (and yes, even them) before their own selves.
“The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us – that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion – that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain – that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom – that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” -Abraham Lincoln
We all only have ONE life to live. For many, that life was very short…because they put us first. They gave up their comfort so that we could be comfortable. They gave up their families so that ours would be secure. They gave up their safety so that we could be safe. They gave up their lives so that we could live freely. They gave all so that our nation would remain one nation under God, and be a light of freedom and good. They gave all so that WE could have it all.
When I was nineteen, I traveled to Italy with my grandparents. On this tour through the country, there was a surprise stop for us American tourists. And this stop forever changed my view of this day.
The Italian people dedicated part of their home to the American soldiers who died on their soil in WWII.
This cemetery was a well kept and respectful place in memory of those brave men. As I walked through the line of well tended graves, reading the inscriptions on the headstones, two stood out to me and, to this day, come to the forefront of my mind every Memorial Day.
The first grave I saw was for A.W. Gladden, died November 13th, 1943. Age: 19.
As I knelt there, in front of this white headstone, enjoying my vacation, it hit me for the first time just how big of a sacrifice these men made. This young man was no older than I when he died for his country. He had so many years left he could have lived in comfort back home if he had not gone overseas. But he didn’t, he put aside all thoughts for his life to fight for the lives of those he left behind.
The second grave I saw had just as dramatic an effect on me:
“Known unto God”. Now one even knew this soldier’s name. That meant that his family back home would never know what happened to him. Would never be able to visit his grave. No one would be able to tell his story.
How old was he? Where did he come from? Did he have a wife, children? How many? What about siblings? Did he have a mother falling to her knees every night he was away, praying for her son’s safe return? Did his father watch down the road each evening, waiting for the day he would see his son walking home?
These were real people, just like us…they lived lives like ours and had family, just as we do. I think we often forget that. They are just unknown names and faces. They have no connection to us.
I always had the imaginative mind of a writer, and loved studying the wars, learning about the military and even pretended I was a soldier… but even still, before I visited this cemetery I didn’t even think about these things.
That hot July day, kneeling on the soft ground, staring unblinkingly at the words carved in stone before me…God turned on a light bulb in my head…and heart. These were no longer just stories. They were not just words on a page, unknown to all and lacking any names or faces. God knew them all. He knew all their names and faces and He called each of them to their duty. Many gave all for that call…and those who knew Him have now seen His face.
“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” -John 15:13
Now imagine laying down one’s life for strangers, or for those who would despise that sacrifice and throw the gifts in the mud. That is what Christ did for us on the cross, dying for our souls, and that is what our soldiers have done on the battle fields, dying for our freedoms. Family, Freedom, God and Country… for these they died, for what will we live? What is our call of duty?
Our Call to Duty
We have come so far away what this day was supposed to be: a day of honor for the fallen. A day for us to, as Abraham Lincoln stated, “take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion.” For which they gave their last breath, may we resolve that those who died shall not have died in vain.
How could they have died in vain, you may ask?
For all who stood and answered the call of duty and fought and died shoulder to shoulder…what were they defending? What was the call they answered?
- The preservation of freedom
- The defense of family and country
- The security of future generations, that those who come after may have a better life and need not fear for their safety.
For us to turn our backs on the freedoms for which they died, choose to live in ignorance of their lives and historical events, to teach Americans to hate their country and spit on the graves of her defenders…this is how we show that “these dead” have died in vain.
They never asked for anything in return, but our respect, honor paid to those who never returned, and love for both God and Country, and tell their story to our children. So little for those who gave so much!
For this reason I will stand for the flag, kneel for the cross, place my hand over my heart for the National Anthem, and remember and never dishonor the sacrifices made for me. I will teach them to my children so that they, too will know and understand the great debt we owe. For my part, I here resolve that these dead SHALL NOT have died in vain. Will you join me?
“We are springing to the call of our brothers gone before,
Shouting the battle cry of freedom!
And we’ll fill the vacant ranks with a million free men more,
Shouting the battle cry of freedom!
The Union forever, hurrah, boys, hurrah!
Down with the traitor, up with the stars,
While we rally ’round the flag, boys, rally once again,
Shouting the battle cry of freedom!”
-The Battle Cry of Freedom
Preserving Foundations 
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