Growing up and into my adult years, Memorial Day has held no higher value than an extra day off from school or work.  How sad and tragic that I have not understood and embraced the deep meaning of this day, of this I repent.

Today, we began a family tradition of remembrance.  As we watched the documentary “The League of Grateful Sons” produced by Vision Forum, I studied the faces of my children, and felt in me the desire for each of these precious ones to carry on the legacy of the great soldiers who have given their lives for their freedoms, that they should always walk with gratitude for those who came before and honor of those who have served and continue to serve this great nation.  They must not be allowed to journey through this life forgetful of God’s providential works and His use of imperfect men and women to lay the foundations of His perfect will.  I refuse to cripple my children with the attitudes so prevalent today of self-worship, of demanding unearned “rights” without bearing the responsibility of their failures.

All of us, in some way, are being touched or have been touched directly by the honorable service of loved ones.  I am a wife of a serviceman, the sister-in-law of a serviceman. I am a daughter of a serviceman, the niece and granddaughter of servicemen, a cousin of servicemen, a dear friend of servicemen.  Brave soldiers that have all made the pledge at one time or other to defend us with all they have against enemies far and near.  Did all of them begin their careers with such noble intentions?  Of course not.  In our own case, we chose to take on the responsibility of service in order to pursue a life that would be better than what we once had.  Nevertheless, each and every one has taken on the sacrifice worthy of remembrance and praise.

Yesterday’s sermon at church was this, “The cost of freedom is blood.”

That message held a special significance in my heart.  First and foremost, I must remember that my own spiritual freedom was bought and paid for with the blood of my precious Savior, Christ Jesus.  I cannot forget God’s grace and great deeds that brought me out of the bondage of sin.  It was His only Child that alone, bore the punishment of all sin for all time, giving me the promise that I would enjoy Him forever in Paradise.

God has preserved my loved ones that have served and serve still, I am able to look forward with confidence to the day I will be reunited with my own Beloved, serving in far away lands.  I am quieted by the knowledge that hundreds of loved ones across this nation and in others sit at their dinner tables with empty seats.  I cannot, even for a moment, understand the pain they must bear.  However, I can remember them, I can extend my gratitude to them.

As an American, I have a duty to remember the sacrifices of so many.  Those who’s graves cry out, “For your tomorrows, we gave our today.”  Our freedom has been bought with a terrible price.  I cannot nor will not disgrace their memory.  I will remember, I will teach my children to remember, and I will teach my children to teach their children to remember.  God’s Word is clear, the nation that forgets the works of God, that dishonors the sacrifices that have been paid will perish.  It is our promise to you that this family will not forget.

So from our home, to all of you who have served and continue to serve, thank you.  For those of you who have walked before me and with me as the brides of servicemen, thank you.  For every child that is short a kiss goodnight, thank you.  For every family known and unknown to me, in this present time and past, who’s arms long to hold their fallen soldier, thank you.  To the God of our forefathers, who graciously allows us the privilege to worship in freedom, who has established our great nation and can just as easily wipe it away, thank you.

Psalm 44:  1  “We have heard with our ears, O God;  our fathers have told us what you did in their days, in days long ago.”

Psalm 71:  18  Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.

Psalm 78:  6-7  “That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children:  That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments”

Deuteronomy 32:  7  “Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee.”

Deuteronomy 8:  19-20  “And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish.  As the nations which the LORD destroyeth before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the LORD your God.”