“Our dead brothers still live for us, and bid us think of
life, not death." ~ Oliver Wendell Holms
For Madeline, Memorial Day was no
longer happy. It wasn’t the long weekend
she’d always looked forward to. On the
first holiday without her soldier, (who was stationed somewhere in Afghanistan),
Madeline was in a foul mood. She
resented everyone who could enjoy this day without the anxiety of war.
She needed to shake it off; to lose herself in a long walk.
A half mile later, Madeline paused at the gate of the local
cemetery. Somehow it seemed to beckon her. She hurried through the gate.
She walked among the plots, glancing at the graves, some
with simple markers, some more elaborate. What had drawn her here?
Then she noticed a woman leaning over a grave, straightening
flowers that had blown over, fitting a container back into place. A small American flag cast a shadow on the
soldier's memorial.
Madeline brushed a tear from her cheek and stood back,
staring at the white marble tombstone. "Hello," she said, moving
toward her.
The woman didn't say a word, but reached for Madeline with
both arms as though she needed someone right then to understand the moment. Her husband of more than 30 years had died in
combat three years earlier.
"I'm sorry for your loss," she uttered somberly. And then, “Doesn’t it make you angry that after
more than a decade of war in two countries that claimed the lives of nearly
7,000 Americans, people seem more interested with having a barbecue or going
shopping than pausing to appreciate the cost of our freedom to do so?”
The woman paused.
“Oh no dear,” she began, gaining composure with each
word. If Joe were alive today, he’d
probably want to spend the weekend doing what he loved, too. That might have involved a trip to the beach. It almost certainly would have involved
drinking beer. My husband and his Army
buddies, many of whom have rotated in and out of war zones for decades, would’ve
been excited about the three-day weekend just like everyone else.”
“That’s why they fight,” she continued. “They serve so that we can watch the race,
grill out and enjoy the start of summer. Their sacrifice follows the example of Jesus
Christ laying down His life for our freedom. It's selfless love for others – not so that we
should mourn forever, but live.”
Madeline turned and took in the panorama of the cemetery,
filled with the flowers brought in for that special day. Almost every grave was decorated.
God's spirit touched her with a quiet, new understanding. Military service is about protecting family,
friends and countrymen. Any nation where
soldiers serve with Duty, Honor, and for Country is blessed.
Lord, on this day of remembrance for those
who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy every day, we
think of how they followed in the footsteps of Your son, our Savior, Jesus
Christ. Bless them, their families and
friends. Amen
