Heroes Should Be Remembered

Good Morning Joes and Janes;

I don’t have a devotional per se today but just some random thoughts on Memorial Day. I have heard and read several “Happy Memorial Day” greetings. That somehow doesn’t work that well for me. Memorial Day is remembering those who died fighting to keep this country free and I for one feel more reflective, sad, grateful, humble, or a half-dozen other words and feelings but ‘happy’ is not very far up the list.

A bit of history;

Major General John A. Logan

A Brief History of Memorial Day: On May 5, 1868, Major General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic (an organization made up of Union Veterans) set aside May 30th as Decoration Day to commemorate fallen soldiers by adorning their graves with flowers. General Logan’s order declared: “We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance….Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.”

By the end of the 19th century, the observance of May 30th as a day to honor the Civil War dead had become a widespread practice across the nation, but after World War I, the tribute was expanded to include all American military men and women who had died in any war. Memorial Day has been acknowledged as a national holiday since 1971, when an Act of Congress established its observance on the last Monday in May.

In 2000, Congress passed the “The National Moment of Remembrance Act,” asking all Americans to pause at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for a minute of silence in remembrance of all those who have died in military service to America.

(taken from Wall Builders Historical Writings) Read more here:

With no personal experience but much reading, I don’t believe that people die for their country. They often go to war for their country, to protect freedom and family and livelihood, but they usually die to save a buddy, a member of their unit or in protecting the military unit. But that does not make them any less a hero! They willing went into such a situation that they knew could cost them their lives.

The Blaze ran a story that I think is typical of the direction much of the Liberals and leftists in this country would like to take us: MSNBC Panel on Chris Hayes‘ Show Debate Using the Word ’Hero’ To Describe Fallen Soldiers Memorial Day Weekend Video TheBlaze.com

The panel wrings their hands over the politically correct way to celebrate Memorial Day. They discuss whether the use of the term ‘hero’ is a good idea. They wish they could come up with another term that won’t, in their terms, glorify or encourage war. How many people today glorify or encourage war? It is a day to remember those who died, laid down their lives for fellow soldier and country. It is a day that the soldier is recognized for his sacrifice, not what war it was, whether it was ‘justified’, what the politics of the time were. The origins of Memorial Day were the Civil War, a war fought between the states of the United States. The dead who were commemorated were from the North and the South, the Union and the Confederacy. The flowers and flags were placed on the graves of soldiers from both sides to honor their death; not some political viewpoint or side they chose.

I think in any war there are times and soldiers that commit bad acts. An army is only as good as its soldiers. My worry today is that as a nation and as an army we are walking away from, turning our backs on God. From the time this nation began Christianity was the strength of its people and army. One of the first things that was established with the army was the role of Chaplain. The following is a general order from General George Washington.

July 9, 1776

The Hon. Continental Congress having been pleased to allow a Chaplain to each Regiment, with the pay of Thirty-three Dollars and one-third pr month—The Colonels or commanding officers of each regiment are directed to procure Chaplains accordingly; persons of good Characters and exemplary lives—To see that all inferior officers and soldiers pay them a suitable respect and attend carefully upon religious exercises. The blessing and protection of Heaven are at all times necessary but especially so in times of public distress and danger—The General hopes and trusts that every officer and man will endeavor to live and act as becomes a Christian soldier defending the dearest rights and liberties of his country.

Today we are removing funding from the Chaplain Corp, keeping them from praying in the name of Jesus, forcing the acceptance of the Church of Wicca, Islam and other faiths which are in direct opposition to God and to the very rules that soldiers are sworn to follow. How can we expect either Divine protection from God or an army of soldiers that follow Godly principles?

I pray that we, as a nation turn back to God before it is too late and that today we set aside some time to honor those HEROES who laid down their lives for our country.

Regular Joe

Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened.
Billy Graham

It doesn’t take a hero to order men into battle. It takes a hero to be one of those men who goes into battle.
Norman Schwarzkopf

Bravery is the capacity to perform properly even when scared half to death.
Omar Bradley