A Day of Remembrance

By Carol Graves May 29, 2017 Reflection, Scripture

Today is Memorial Day, a federal holiday in the United States for remembering the people who died while serving in the country’s armed forces. This day, originally called Decoration Day, was established in 1868 when, after the Civil War, Union veterans established it as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the Union war dead with flowers. Later, the day was extended to honor all Americans who died while in the military service.

I remember our community gathering around the flagpole, raising the flag to half-mast as taps was played on the trumpet. Many of those present had served in World War II. They had experienced the terrors of war and often kept their stories unspoken.

One story my father shared was an experience that could have altered the lives of our family had it not been for God’s protection. He and another soldier were driving through enemy territory where they knew many land mines were planted. My father was to be in the second Jeep carefully following in the tracks of the first. The soldier in the first Jeep was extremely frightened. My father volunteered to take the lead and started across the field. It was winter and the ground was frozen. As he cautiously drove across the field, although his vehicle did not break through the frozen ground, the second vehicle, following in his tracks was just heavy enough to detonate a land mine. My father was safe. Those in the second Jeep perished.

I think of that story often, realizing that had my father not made that decision, I would never have been born. God’s protection preserved His purpose for our family. I grieve for the families of those in that second Jeep and honor the memory of their loved ones.

Psalms 91 is the passage that my father read over and over as he slowly crossed Europe for two years facing the enemy. I can only imagine how he clung to God’s promise of protection as he drove a half track onto the beach on D-Day 3 and fought in the Battle of the Bulge.

However, in Psalm 91 we find that God’s promise of protection is conditional. In verse 1 we read, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. To dwell means to live in; to be settled; to stay; to keep the attention directed upon. Verse 2 continues, I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!” In verse 14a we read, “Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him.” This passage does not promise that we will not face dangers and difficulties, but that He will deliver us through them. It declares that God’s promises of protection are in place when we keep our attention directed upon God, and when we trust Him and love Him.

This Memorial Day, let us remember with honor and gratitude those who have died as they served us, protecting our freedom and our nation. Let us pray for their families that God will give them peace. Let us pray Psalm 91 over those who are now engaged in the dangers of war. And let us experience God’s promise of protection as we dwell in the shelter of the Most High, giving God our trust and our love.

Lord, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me. Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me. Psalm 40:11 (NLT)

MEMORIAL DAY

DUSK IS GONE FIRST LIGHT IS NEAR, THE DAY HAS COME AT LAST.

MEMORIAL DAY THE BUGLES PLAY, THE FLAGS ARE FLOWN HALF-MAST.

THE GUNS ARE FIRED, THE COLORS RETIRED, FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES SEE

THE EPITAPH UPON THE GRAVES.

THEY DIED FOR YOU AND ME.

FLOWERS ARE PLACED, THE WREATHS ARE LAID, AN HONOR GUARD PLAYS TAPS ONCE MORE.

AGAINST A DARKENED PURPLE SKY WE SEE AN EAGLE SOAR.

AND AS THE DAY FADES INTO TO DUSK AND LIGHT FADES INTO NIGHT,

THOSE WHO FOUGHT FOR LIBERTY, AND THOSE WHO FOUGHT FOR RIGHT,

THEY LAY GENTLY NOW, YET EVEN STILL THEIR MEMORIES WE EMBRACE.