Memorial Day

Since the United States ended the draft in 1972, Americans, in general, have lost touch with the cost of freedom -- military service. Before then, a majority of America's young men spent time in one of the nation's armed forces. Today, less than 1 percent of American families shoulder the burden of fear and sacrifice of military service, and they shoulder it for the entire nation. Here is the natural result:




A couple of years ago, on or about Veterans' Day, our bishop asked all veterans to stand and be recognized. Of a congregation of some 400, only about a half dozen stood. A generation ago, at least half the men would have been on their feet along with some of the women.

I think that our nation has paid a very dear price by isolating itself from those who wear the uniform. Few know or understand the toll on those who serve and especially on their families. Additionally, because few Americans share the burden, today's servicemen spend a far portion of their service in actual combat than any armed force in history.

All Americans can think about is barbecues, car races, and Memorial Day sales. I hear people greet each other with, "Happy Memorial Day." To those of who have served and to those of us who have lost family and friend to war, it's not a happy day. It's a solemn and sacred day.

In memory of my fallen brothers and sisters in arms and the families they left:

War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things; the decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks nothing worth a war, is worse. A man who has nothing which he cares more about than he does about his personal safety is a miserable creature who has no chance at being free, unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself. - John Stuart Mill

Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude; American will never forget their sacrifice. - President Harry S. Truman

They fought together as brothers-in-arms, they died together, and now they sleep side by side. To them we have a solemn obligation. - Admiral Chester Nimitz

They hover as a cloud of witnesses above this Nation. – Henry Ward Beecher

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. – John 15:13

On this Memorial Day, I highly recommend reading Six Seconds to Live and Ask me about my son’s sacrifice.

Thousands of soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Guardsmen have been killed in the War on Terror. The Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund honors the bravery and dedication exhibited by Americans in our Armed Forces who have sacrificed life or limb defending our country by providing educational scholarships to their children. Please support the The Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund.