Memorial Day?

Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.

-John 15:13 (NASB)

My sisters & I taking down the flag properly with our Papa Miller... he is whistling taps. 

I so struggle with official holidays. Not because I have some kind of aversion to celebrating or parties or happiness or whatever. But if there is one thing I just can’t stand, it is lack of authenticity. & to be honest these holidays so often feel… well, they feel contrived. Shallow. Like their real meaning, their legitimacy, got lost along the way somewhere. 

Yesterday Chuck & I were talking about this as we were preparing for Memorial Day. It really bothers me how a holiday that was once set aside for people to visit the graves of those that have given their lives to assure our freedoms; feels a little more like an extra day off to go to the lake, fire up the barbeque, hang out in the sun & drink too much beer. That feels a little bit icky to me. I doubt the families of those lost, especially this past year, are celebrating this way. 

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying we should spend the day in complete solemn reflection, I’m just wondering if maybe we could take a moment to just stop what we are doing & remember. To honor those that have sacrificed on our behalf. To acknowledge the incredible gift of life given for preservation of our freedom. There is no greater gift. 

"It is the soldier, not the reporter,
Who has given us freedom of the pres
It is the soldier, not the poet,
Who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the soldier, not the organizer,
Who gave us the freedom to demonstrate.
It is the soldier,
Who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag.
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protester to burn the flag."

-Father Dennis Edward O'Brien, USMC

http://www.va.gov/opa/speceven/memday/history.asp?utm_source=3birds&utm_medium=Web&utm_campaign=AUBURNVW_Fun+Facts+About+Memorial+Day