Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day because it was a time set aside to honor the nation's Civil War dead by decorating their graves. Then in 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday to be celebrated the last Monday in May.
So what is it all about, anyway?
I remember the parades and the flags when I was a little boy in West Virginia. Back then, Memorial Day was a very important day.
An acquaintance of mine was visiting the Ukraine a number of years ago, and he said he did not know how special Memorial Day was until his Ukraine host showered him with gifts, flowers, etc while he was working there. Like many of us, he had taken for granted how blessed we are to live in the U.S.A. and he had taken for granted those who paid that ultimate price.
We hear so much today about freedom. So, I wonder how many really know the cost of that freedom. Those who go around and condemn our fallen are putting themselves on dangerous ground. They are able to protest because someone shed their blood so they could protest. But Americans tend to take things for granted don’t they?
It is time to remember those who have gone before us and paid the ultimate price. We are here because FREEDOM IS NOT FREE! It requires the shedding of blood. Freedom has always required that.
I honor all veterans on Veterans Day. However, MEMORIAL DAY is the day we honor those who have paid the ultimate price. There are all sorts of stories of those in battle who sacrificed their very lives so their comrades in arms could survive.
If we forget to remember our past we will cease to exist.
Think about this. Our salvation; our freedom we have in Christ is because He shed His blood for you and me (Acts 20:28). If we forget Who paid the ultimate price for all of man - kind what will happen?
