Memorial Day Weekend Reminder

Romans 13:7, "Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due,customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. (NKJV) (Emphasis Added)

Today begins a weekend that we reference as Memorial Day weekend. This time of remembrance was actually instituted by a group of Mothers who felt that the lives of their sons who had died in the Civil War were not being remembered and recognized. They set out on a mission to change that prevalent attitude. They not only cleaned up and decorated the graves of their sons but the graves of the other soldiers. This act of kindness and remembrance included the graves of those who had fought on the side of the enemies of their sons. Memorial Day became an official Federal Holiday in 1971.

This post is being written with a far deeper desire than to just bring a list of facts and figures to your attention. You can do your own personal research if that is what you interests you. My concern is a far deeper one that just facts. Let me preface my remarks by reminding you that my Dad was a WWII veteran. My Dad served in Company B of the 347th Infantry, in the 87th Infantry Division of Patton's 3rd Army. He received several battlefield awards, metals and recognition. His unit saw action at some of the major battles in the European theater of action. He passed away on March 31, 2016 at the age of 90. Needless to say that I was proud of my Dad when he was alive and now I feel even more pride as I celebrate the fact that he has passed on to his eternal reward. He was not only a soldier in the 3rd Army of the United States of America but he was also a faithful solider in the "Army of the Lord Jesus Christ" where he also served as a Minister with distinction and faithfulness.

But this post is not just about my Dad but it is about the fact that we need to follow the words that the Apostle spoke about in Romans 13. We need to show honor to those who deserve the honor. Is it possible that we have taken this time of remembrance and just turned it into a three (3) day weekend?  Americans have become a group of people that are excited about entertainment; we are excited about recreation; and we are excited about rest and relaxation. But in many cases we have very little time for remembering the right things and remembering that there have been soldiers who paid the ultimate price of service (death) so that we could enjoy all of the above mentioned social events. This weekend will be one of sadness for many families who have gone through the tragedy of losing a loved one on the battlefield or losing them as a result of injuries on the battlefield. WE CAN NOT AFFORD TO FORGET THESE VALIANT MEN AND WOMEN OF OUR ARMED FORCES!!!

Let us not forget those veterans who have brought home either physical or physiological injuries. The VA hospital as well as other hospitals are full of many soldiers who are fighting another war either in their mind or their body. It is possible that they will carry these "scars" the remainder of their days on earth. My Dad did not suffer a "wound" during his time of service yet he carried "scars" (both physical as well as emotional) with him until the final day of his life. I am not wanting to sound like a "righteous right wing extremist" in this post but I did feel that I needed to speak out for those who may not have a venue to speak for themselves. Taking a day off from work is fine. Eating a great meal with family/friends is a great idea. Going to church on Sunday is a wonderful idea (I couldn't resist saying that). 

BUT DON'T FORGET TO REMEMBER THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE FOUGHT AND DIED SO THAT WE COULD ENJOY THE ABOVE MENTIONED ACTIVITIES. DON'T FORGET THOSE WHO ARE SERVING IN THE ARMED FORCES AT THIS PRESENT TIME. OFFER YOUR THANKS AND APPRECIATION TO THEM. AND DON'T FORGET THOSE FIRST RESPONDERS WHO ALSO SERVE OUR NATION ON A DAILY BASIS.

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!!!