After making paper poppies in children's church, I challenged the kids to give the flower away and ask, "Who will you remember?"  Memorial Day is so much more than a white sale or a chance to sleep in- after all.  I am blessed to be able to remind my own kids of how fortunate they are to live in America and to instill in them the grateful attitude that we need to have for those who put their lives on the lines in defense of our freedoms.  But my heart goes out to the children in our liberal northern CA town-- who get the opposite message.  It's exciting to have opportunities like this to possitively influence.

So who did you remember?  Of course I think of the boys I know from our church who are currently fighting-- and thanking God for protecting them.  But I also think back in time to all the soldiers of past wars, from the beginning of this great nation to the war between the states and the war to end all wars.  I remember with pride the stories handed down of how my great grand pappy rode with Teddy Roosevelt and his Rough Riders up San Juan Hill.  I'm in awe of what it took to become and sustain America.  It isn't just a dream, but the blood of many who cared enough.  A speaker at the Memorial Day service challenged us to stand tall in defense of America.  All we face is the harsh criticism and biting verbal attacks of the politically correct... but look at the very real and deadly bullets that our soldiers are willing to face.

Who did you remember?