Monday is Memorial Day - a national holiday; a time to be with family and friends, have backyard BBQs, the end of a long weekend. However, Memorial Day means so much more. It is a day set apart as a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service.
Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day where the graves of Civil War soldiers were cared for and decorated with flowers. The preferred name for the holiday gradually changed from "Decoration Day" to "Memorial Day", which was first used in 1882. It did not become more common until after World War II and became an occasion for honoring those who had died in all America’s wars. It was not declared the official name by Federal law until 1967.
The traditional observance of Memorial day has diminished over the years. Many Americans nowadays have forgotten the meaning and traditions of Memorial Day. At many cemeteries, the graves of the fallen are increasingly ignored, neglected. Most people no longer remember the proper flag etiquette for the day. While there are towns and cities that still hold Memorial Day parades, many have not held a parade in decades. Some people think the day is for honoring any and all dead,and not just those fallen in service to our country.
However, today we will reflect on honoring those who made the supreme sacrifice during their service. "greater love thath not man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" John 15:13
Honoring the dead:
First, know who they are and what they fought for. Take responsibility to learn the true history of this county, not the agenda driven, politically correct history that is now the official version. Read original documents, read sources that contain actual deeds and words. You wouldn't replace the scriptures with someone's interpretation of the Holy Word so you should not replace the inspiring lives and actions contained in journals, letters and the founding documents of this country either.
Honor what our soldiers and founding fathers fought, sacrificed and died for by learning what makes this land, this people and country exceptional. None of these are common and we are not just like every other land and nation. The Lord has watched over this land for thousands of years and righteous people have been brought here to allow His work to continue.
As Abraham Lincoln in his Gettysburg Address reminds us that: "It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us that from these honored deed we take increased devotion to the the cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion; that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain. that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom."
Learn that the founding fathers were almost to a man, men of great faith and love of God. They knew His hand was in the creating of this nation. Again, read their words and find out the depth of their devotion to their country and Lord. Many of them sacrificed all they had and loved to accomplish this great work.
Learn that this land can only retained by a righteous people and from a righteous people spring servicemen and women that serve with integrity and truth.
Honor the dead by learning and embracing correct principles and allowing those principles to guide your actions. They fought and died for you to have the opportunity to choose what path your life will take.
Don't surrender your God given freedoms and the responsibility to be self-reliant by giving others the responsibility to make the decisions for you and the illusion of comfort. Those who left their families and lost their lives to protect this country and the freedom of their countrymen didn't do it because they wanted others to take care of them and that their lives would be free of responsibilities.
Enjoy today; many died so you could do so. However, please take advantage of the "National Moment of Remembrance” at 3:00 p.m. “to remember and reflect on the sacrifices made by so many to provide freedom for all.”
Part of being prepared is planning ahead. The holiday season is upon us, from Halloween, Thanksgiving and on to Christmas. It can be such a whirlwind that we are stressed out, overwhelmed and get lost in the preparations. We are distracted from the joy of family and friends. Hill Spirit tries to remember the Mary and Martha story in the gospels. If you aren't familiar with the story, it is well worth your time to look it up and ponder how it applies to your life (Luke, 10:38-42).
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