Memorial Day - just another reason for a BBQ?

Yesterday, while in church, I became agitated and frustrated (the Christian word for angry).  Church is not usually the place where such feelings are felt.  Having given 29 years of my life to the military, having been in war, having been proud of my service to the greatest country in the world (not a popular sentiment today) I felt a bit on the edge when a young person unemotionally asked the veterans in the sanctuary to stand as she suggested that the audience applaud us.

Normally I would be pleased at such a gesture.  I was not because it rang superficial and hollow--something that had to be done rather than something that should be done.  The message that followed trivialized the moment.  The speaker spoke on despair using a failed relationship as a backdrop to suggest ways to deal with despair.  I kept thinking during the message how superficial and niave we have become.  Instead of honoring those who gave their lives so we have the freedom to express our faith without fear of life or limb we trivialize the day by speaking on a self-obsorbed subject having nothing whatsoever to do with the great sacrifices made by so many recently and in the distant past.

We can argue over whether or not a war is justified or the cause above reproach.  We can examine details of every war and find something we diagree on.  Some of us disagree with war for any reason.  Others see war as necessary for many reasons.  There is nothing attractive about war.  Anyone having been in battle comes away with a sober understanding of this socalled last resort.  Not every war has been fought for justifiable reasons.  Yet, some wars were necessary to defend the oppressed and to protect what we hold dear - freedom.

Augustine postulated four reasons when war is justified.

1. Called by a legitimate authority for the purpose of securing peace.

2. Safety of citizens through defensive measures.

3. With force exerted that will not produce a greater harm.

4. For protection of innocent lives, with a reasonable probability of success.

War must be the last resort; openly declared by proper authority; in response to unjust aggression; and that success must be probable. During warfare, it insists, the desired good ends must outweigh the destructive means and noncombatants must be protected as much as possible.

In the Readers Write section of the Star Tribune today one commentator (Jeffrey S.) summed up my feelings.

"Memorial Day should not be just another day off or the unofficial start of summer, but a day of solemn reflection and patriotic pride.  This day we remember the voice of those who are now voiceless.  We weep for those who no longer feel sadness, and we laugh for those who no longer feel joy.  We remind our children of what grandpa did on the beaches of Normandy or what mom did in the hills of Afghanistan.  We remind them of what dad did in the jungles of Vietnam or we have them stand in silence at the grave of the unknown soldier.  We teach our children that what they and countless others died for means something -- that freedom is not free."

As we sit under the shadow of a blood soaked flag and enjoy the freedom that has come at such a dear cost let us remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.  Jeffrey S. concludes his remarks by saying...

"Let us not forget their sacrifices and selflessness--they paid the ultimate price in defense of an ideal:  That all (persons) are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness."

 

Comments

[Lavi]

Could you help me. We may not imagine how our lives could be more frustrating and complex--but Congress can.
I am from Cyprus and know bad English, give true I wrote the following sentence: "hair replacement denver co."

Regards :o Lavi.

[Bill Kinney]

Greg

I too am perplexed by the lack of focus on what matters most in making Memorial Day meaningful. At our church the pews were sparsely filled, the pastor was gone and a guest speaker offered a topic that was not remotely related. There was no acknowledgment of the sacrifices made for the freedom we enjoy, no attempt to honor veterans in the congregation. I am saddened by that.

Maybe it is just me and my own service in the Navy that causes me to get great sense of the grace of God. I am so grateful to be an American, and proud of the legacy left by those who have gone before.

Just a side-note, there are some compelling works of fiction that highlight America's God-ordained role as the champion of freedom in the world. I am currently reading Jeff Shaara's book on WW2, "The Rising Tide," and can recommend his other books as well (He is the author of "Gods and Generals" that continues the legacy of his father Michael, who wrote, "Killer Angels," about the Battle of Gettysburg).

Anyway, Thanks for sharing. I am sure that most who read your post will strongly agree that something has been lost, and that it matters a great deal.

Bill Kinney

[Kim Olstad]

Thanks for the excellent reminder, Greg.

[John Sampson]

Well said! Well said!! May we never, never forget the sacrifices made by those fighting on our behalf! May we always honor those who have been and are in harm's way for us and our freedom!
Well Said!