Reflections: Do this in remembrance

Monday, May 26, was Memorial Day, with remembrance ceremonies held locally across the United States varying from parades to simple wreath-laying or honor/color guard ceremonies at national, public and private cemeteries. 

The Civil War, which ended in 1865, took thousands of American lives and led to the establishment of the first national cemeteries and Decoration Day, as it was originally called. The date was likely set in May because there would be plenty of fresh spring flowers to place on graves of those who died in the war. The name later changed to Memorial Day in order to also honor those who perished in World War I and World War II and subsequent conflicts. 

While Memorial Day has come to represent the “official” start of summer and often celebrated with picnics and family outings, I personally consider it important to spend some time during the holiday weekend doing what it was intended for—honoring those who perished while serving their country. While I’m fortunate to have very few extended family over the years who actually died in battle, I find it meaningful to drive to cemeteries in rural Arkansas and visit the gravesites of those who did, as well as those who sacrificed some of the best years of their lives serving in the military, some of my uncles and cousins returned home having suffered serious injuries. 

I spend time wondering what the relatives who were killed would have been like, and recalling memories of the ones I knew personally, including my dad and several uncles who served in World War II; and in those same cemeteries, I can honor and remember my mother, stepmom, and aunts who kept things going on the home front, sacrificing in their own way as they coped with rationing, grew gardens, managed farm duties, volunteered in their communities, and prayed faithfully for their soldiers. 

I’m thankful our country has a holiday dedicated to remembrance, which I believe is an important biblical principle. In the Old Testament, we see the rainbow as a sign of God’s covenant with Noah; the command to celebrate Passover in remembrance of God’s powerful deliverance; and the placement of commemorative stones after crossing the Jordan River, to name a few. And in the New Testament, we learn about one of the most powerful remembrances of all: the observance of the Lord’s Supper, or Communion, as a reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Pausing to remember helps to keep us thankful and focused on doing our best to serve the One who died for us. 

In the same way, pausing to remember helps keep us thankful for our heritage of freedom and those who paid the ultimate price for it. Yes, I enjoy family gatherings or a picnic, but I also pray that we use Memorial Day and other patriotic holidays as opportunities for conversations with those who may not have thought about the day’s significance, and to teach children and grandchildren appreciation for the sacrifices made on their behalf as well.