Pastor column: Let us never forget
President Lyndon B. Johnson signed, on May 26, 1966, a proclamation that “officially recognized that the patriotic tradition of observing Memorial Day began 100 years ago in Waterloo, New York.” The small Finger Lakes village first staged an annual community-wide commemoration of its war dead on May 5, 1866, when businesses draped buildings in black and residents adorned the graves of soldiers with flowers and flags. Congress designated Waterloo, now home to the National Memorial Day Museum, as the holiday’s birthplace.
On this Memorial Sunday, we must not forget those who have sacrificed for us. For instance, let’s remember those who served in war. Each of these were normal men and women who, when their country called, answered the call. Like every other service member, they had high hopes that because of their service, they could help maintain a peace that would keep them from having to be put into harm’s way. But when called to their respective wars to serve their country, they didn’t run to Canada.
I’m grateful that they didn’t desert their post. They were proud to serve their country and didn’t hesitate to go into battle when called upon to do so. Thank you for your service to your country and for your sacrifices.
We must not forget those who died serving our country. Let us not forget that every single soldier, sailor, airman or marine who died in the service of their country represented a bundle of hopes and dreams that were snuffed out the day they died. And behind every one of them is a grieving spouse or parents or girlfriend or boyfriend. Behind many of those spouses are sons or daughters who will not have dad or mom … all because they said yes to their country and paid the ultimate sacrifice.
This Memorial Day we must not forget those who by their ultimate act of love for Jesus said: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13) But as we remember those who have fallen in battle, do not forget the widows, the children and the parents of those who gave their lives, for they also paid a high price.
We must remember also the One who gave His life for our salvation. Jesus came to go to the cross of Calvary and die for our sins. John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Jesus’ death was the only one of its kind … for only Jesus, the Son of God, could die for the whole world. Titus 2:14 says that He “gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity.”
I’m glad that we have Memorial Day to honor those who made, and still make, enormous sacrifices for our country. But we have every day to honor our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who died that we might live.
The Rev. J. Patrick Street is the lead pastor at Redeemer Church in Marion. He can be reached at coachpatstreet@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Pastor column: Never forget the sacrifices of our veterans
