As a young boy, I considered Memorial Day as the point in
time when the arrival of the summer season was imminent, freeing me from the
grip of another Chicago winter… and very soon the drudgery of a school-year. In my northern home this holiday had a
distinctive military flare; a time when folks would acknowledge the sacrifice-
often the ultimate one- made in protecting the liberty which we so often take
for granted. As a military man (the
Marines don’t have a monopoly on the concept of life-long commitment to a
cause) I deeply appreciate devoting a day to pondering the depth of this
sacrifice which so many dedicated men and women were willing to make.
But I think that my family in the hills and hollers of the Appalachians
may have a better grasp of what Memorial Day needs to be. As I drive through the countryside this
weekend I am assured of seeing the myriad little cemeteries and burial plots on
the numerous hillsides teaming with activity, as family and friends gather on
this Decoration Day to “honor” their deceased loved ones. Richly colored flowers will be tenderly
placed on graves, prayers of thanksgiving will be offered, hymns will be sung,
and meals will be shared. This time of
fellowship will often continue for the entire day. When I first arrived in the hills and witnessed
this event unfolding, I had mistakenly believed that the assembled masses must
be a people who were unable to adequately cope with the grief of losing a loved-one
to death. But I have come to understand
that, in reality, they are actually celebrating the impact which the lives of
those who are no longer physically present have had in their own lives. These congregants are engaged in something
which seems to be evaporating in our current world; the acts of honor and
respect!
Unlike the Viet Nam era, when I was a soldier, it has rightfully
become “in vogue” to show appreciation to those who willingly devote their
lives to the many tasks which are necessary to protect and secure our freedom. We do
well to recognize soldiers, police officers, firefighters, and other
first-responders who are compelled by a sense of duty to something greater than
themselves. But have we remembered to
reserve some level of honor and respect for those less visible, but no less
devoted people who have also sacrificed a great amount of themselves for our
sake? You might say, “Memorial Day is
about the total sacrifice of life, and we shouldn’t diminish that by watering
down the concept.” I agree, but what
troubles me is that we have become so needful of having “larger than life”
targets for our tokens of appreciation that the thought of sustaining a sense
of respect for others, whom God has also brought into our lives for our welfare,
simply fades into obscurity. We salute
the Marine who stormed the shores of some distant land to insure our liberty,
but tend to forget the sacrifices of equally devoted mothers and fathers, and
others, who may have given up their own dreams and aspirations- sacrificed
their lives- for our sake.
I’d like to suggest that, as we reflect on the sacrifice of
life which so many have made for us, that we broaden that concept, just a
little, and also celebrate the lives of others who may have held the same depth
of devotion, deep within their hearts, that our acknowledged “heroes” seem to have
possessed. As for me, I’m joining my
Appalachian family in honoring and respecting the seemingly frustrating
devotion which my father and mother held for protecting my welfare. Thank you, my beloved parents, for
sacrificing so much for me. I’ve grown
to respect and honor you both, from the depths of my heart!
Memorial Day is truly a time to remember the depth of all
sacrifice… “even to death on a cross”!
