Memories on Memorial Day

I woke up thinking about "memories" on this Memorial Day. I served my time in the Army (3 years) during the Cold War. I didn't see any fighting, except for among other soldiers. I served as mosquito food in Louisiana. I was a border guard in Germany, the East/West German border for you younger folks. We just watched them watch us. I didn't do much, but I was there just in case.

Many many more have served their time in military service, and many of them have sacrificed physically in some way, some even gave or lost their lives. That's why this day was set aside, originally in the US for remembering the deaths in the Civil War soldiers. It was later expanded to include all of our military losses.

To me, now in my past middle-age years, war is a terrible thing. We should all hope and pray for peace. One of the prices of living in a country is that from time to time that country may call on you to serve in their military. Whether the war (or police action) is a just one, or one undertaken for political reasons, those who go, voluntarily or not, are prepared to make that sacrifice. And, those of us left behind are grateful (or should be) that there are those who are willing to go.

The reasons for Wars have always bothered me. Hundreds and thousands of lives are lost because a few people, almost ALL of who never see any fighting, decide to send the military to some place on this Earth to fight. Many folks wonder why we're fighting, it's natural to ask that question. And, many times there's not a good answer. I like to think that we're protecting somebody somewhere when we fight. Or, maybe we're just fighting somewhere else to keep from having to fight here.

The US is blessed to have very few bordering countries, none of which present any real danger of attack. But that's not the case in most of the rest of the World. So, as one of, if not THE world superpower, we go to help. Sometimes our intelligence may be wrong, sometimes we underestimate the enemy's resolve, sometimes we accomplish most of the leader's goals and claim victory.

But, in ALL cases, lives are lost or given during the fighting. Others are also damaged for life from the conflict, physically as well as mentally. For those, I believe, these injuries may be harder to bear than death.

So, what am I thankful for, what am I remembering today? I'm thankful that, up to this point, we are free in this country to stop and remember.

I remembered a lot of personal losses, but that's for another time. But, the greatest sacrifice that was made for us, and it was made for EVERYONE, is the sacrifice that was made on the Cross. Let's remember that every day. We know the reason, we know the story, and we know that he overcame the grave. God sent his Son to Earth to die for our sins, that we might be able to live in peace, if we so choose, one day with him in heaven. Let's remember that sacrifice in addition to all the others.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. - John 3:16 (NIV)