In A Memorial Day Devotion for Christians, Rob Barkman provides a Christian perspective where one has too often been lacking in recent years.
Memorial Day is a day that is set aside to remember, and honor, our brave soldiers who have given their lives to protect our land and keep us free. It began as a day to honor our Civil War dead, but after World War I, it was expanded to include our war dead from all the wars in which America was involved. Go to http://www.usmemorialday.org/ for more information.
According to http://www.historycentral.com/wars.html , our country has fought in 12 wars (not counting the Afghanistan War which brings the updated total to 13.) In every one of these cases, we have asked the young people of our nation to be willing to give their lives in the name of freedom (for us and others in foreign lands.) The sacrifices these young men and women have made can never be totally comprehended nor can they be repaid by us.
Just stop and think about a little of what these wonderful young people have given up for us. At the very least, they have given years of their life, time away from their families, to serve their country which they love. They have given us any chance of setting down “roots”, having to move from base to base once every 3 to 4 years. Many will be physically disabled the rest of their life, having the use of one or more of their limbs taken from them. Scores have been mentally disabled resulting in them being unable to handle day to day living. And thousands upon thousands have given the ultimate sacrifice, their life, so that we can continue to enjoy our lives living safely in a land of freedom.
We can never begin to understand what they went through, and are continuing to go through, all because they love their nation and the freedoms we take for granted everyday. We can never begin to repay them and their families for the sacrifices they have made for us. It seems as if saying “Thank You” just isn’t enough.
THE SCRIPTURE:
This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
(Joh 15:12-14)
(continued here)
When a young man or woman chooses to enter military service, few fully appreciate the sacrifices they have offered to make. Instead, recruiters speak of adventure or educational benefits. And yet the United States of America’s highest military honor, the Medal of Honor, does not hide the truth. Most recipients receive the medal posthumously.
In a Christian nation, military service is about protecting family, friends and countrymen, and any nation where soldiers serve for Duty, Honor, Country is blessed.
Related articles
- Memorial Day Reflections (lmurray68.wordpress.com)
- Memorial Day Honor Those Who Have Fallen in The Defense of Freedom (americanfreedombybarbara.com)

I have younger brothers who participated in the Boy Scouts. I never did. I was so soured by the Cub Scouts (a sissy organization run by mothers ;-) ), I wanted no part of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). Well, in hindsight I must admit I made a mistake. The men who ran the scout troop my brothers joined actually let them do something besides drinking milk and eating cookies.













