Memorial Day is a solemn day of remembrance for everyone who has died serving in the American armed forces. The holiday, originally known as Decoration Day, started after the Civil War to honor the Union and Confederate dead. Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May it became an official federal holiday in 1971.
“…glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good…” (Rom. 2:10)
To some, Memorial Day is merely the beginning of summer and to many it’s a solemn day to remember, however, to the war veteran and to the families of fallen soldiers, Memorial Day carries significance so deep that WORDS CANNOT EXPRESS THEIR HEARTS. What should we say to those who sincerely honor this day? “Happy Memorial Day” doesn’t seem fitting. “I’m sorry for your loss” may be closer to appropriate. What would the fallen soldier want from their comrades and the rest of the country on this day?
In an often quoted Memorial Day speech given in 1884 by Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., the speaker ended his address with these words, “Our dead brothers still live for us, and bid us think of life, not death — of life to which in their youth they lent the passion and joy of the spring. As I listen, the great chorus of life and joy begins again, and amid the awful orchestra of seen and unseen powers and destinies of good and evil our trumpets sound once more A NOTE OF DARING, HOPE, AND WILL.”
“We know what love is because Jesus Christ gave his life for us. So, we should give our lives for our brothers and sisters.” (1 John 3:16)
Honoring my dad:
William M. Stockham U.S. Navy- WW ll
and my father-in-law:
Clarence F. Foster U.S. Army- WW ll
-Bill Stockham