Honoring the fallen on Memorial Day
Christian Action League
Jan N. Masaryk, a Czechoslovakian statesman, once declared to an American audience: “Raised in liberty, most Americans accept their freedom as a matter of course. Sometimes it seems to me you free people don’t realize what you’ve got …. You wake up in the morning free to do as you choose, to read what you wish, to worship the way you please, and to listen to a lovely piece of music.”
How easy it is to take our freedom for granted! Freedom is the source of great music — the strength of flaming oratory — the impetus behind great literature — the nurture of religion — the hope of our passions. But freedom is not free. It has an exacting price.
From the Revolutionary War to the War on Terror, the American soldier’s heart beats like a trip hammer as the sound of gunfire pops and cracks in the distance and bombs explode nearby. There is the harsh and ugly reality of war — blood and guts — fire and smoke — the smell of death — the journey into the mouth of hell. This is the price the solider is willing to pay so freedom becomes a reality rather than just a lofty dream espoused by a few idealists.
John Adams, in a letter, once wrote: “Posterity! You will never know how much it cost the present generation to preserve your freedom! I hope you will make good use of it. If you do not, I shall repent it in heaven that I ever took the pains to preserve it.” Indeed, and we dare not forget the Soldier, the Airmen, the Marine, the Sailor and the Mariner who gave the full measure of devotion to preserve it!!!
This Memorial Day Weekend, while we kick-off our summers with vacations and barbecues, it is only right that we pause and remember the dead in all of America’s wars. Below is the great price that has been paid to buy that which is not free – freedom!!!
Conflict U.S. Military Deaths
Revolutionary War (1775-1783)…………………………………………………25,000
War of 1812 (1812-1815)………………………………………………………….20,000
Mexican War (1846-1848)………………………………………………………..13,300
Civil War (1861-1865)
Union…………………………………………………………………………………360,000
Confederate…………………………………………………………………………260,000
Spanish-American War (1898)……………………………………………………..2,500
World War I (1917-1918)………………………………………………………….116,500
World War II (1941-1945)…………………………………………………………405,400
Korean War (1950-1953)…………………………………………………………..36,600
Vietnam War (1964-1973)…………………………………………………………..58,200
Persian Gulf War (1990-1991)…………………………………………………………380
Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003 – 2010 )…………………………………………4,683
Operation Enduring Freedom (2001- )…………………………………………..3,708
There are many ways you can honor fallen soldiers on Memorial Day.
- Set flags or flowers on the grave of someone who died fighting for our country.
- Attend a memorial held somewhere near where you live.
- Fly the U.S. flag in front of your home or business. Keep it at half-staff until noon to show respect for America’s fallen heros.
- Send a donation to support the loved ones of the fallen dead and to aid disabled veterans.
- Take a moment to pray for soldiers who are currently in harm’s way. Pray for peace. And remember to thank God for his blessings to our nation and those who have made tremendous sacrifices.
- Write a note or a card to someone whom you know that lost a dear family member or friend in war.
- Ask God to give you grace to live in such a way that you may have a life worthy of the price paid to make you free.