greensideout
05-31-10, 07:20 PM
"Memorial Day" recalls many images to our minds. To me, the most vivid include seeing rows of Old Glory standing as proud, vigilant sentinels over the graves of the fallen . . . a lump welling up in my throat as Taps is sounded. . . hearing names read of our brave men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice . . . watching wreaths and flowers being placed at a fallen hero's gravesite . . . and listening in hallowed silence as one of our dear veterans shares the memories of wartime losses and a tear silently rolls down his cheek.
This weekend, we set aside time to remember and honor those who fought and perished during times of war - from The American Revolution in 1775 to today's War On Terror. To date, that totals over 600,000 individuals who have given their all so that we can live free.
We may wish others a safe, but never a happy Memorial Day. This is a somber occasion. It is a time to reflect. A time to cry. A time to honor.
We dress in red, white and blue as an outward sign of our inward solidarity with those who served under our nation's colors - colors that in our Great Seal signify hardiness and valor (Red), purity and innocence (White), and vigilance, perseverance and justice (Blue).
We love this nation, its Christian heritage and the principles upon which it was founded. We remember these today. We are one nation under God, with liberty and justice for all. Some so strongly believed in these principles, that they put themselves in harm's way, to stand in our stead and reclaim for us our God-granted right to live and breathe free. We say, "Thank you."
Evil exists in this world, but by the grace of God, so too does a greater love. This weekend, many of us have reflected upon this love in the words of Jesus Christ: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." - John 15:13
We as Missourians and Americans are so richly blessed by the great sacrifices of others. As our forefathers have done before us, we humbly thank our great God who gave strength to these brave souls so we might experience freedom from tyranny. We thank Him for giving His very own Son so that we may have freedom from the bondage and wages of sin. We ask for His protection for all who serve. We ask Him to comfort all who grieve. We pause. We pray. We remember.
Taps, by Horace Lorenzo Trim
Fading light dims the sight
And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright
From afar drawing nigh,
Falls the night.
Day is done, gone the sun
From the lakes, from the hills, from the skies
All is well, safely rest;
God is nigh.
Then goodnight, peaceful night;
Till the light of the dawn shineth bright.
God is near, do not fear,
Friend, goodnight.
Vicky Hartzler
This weekend, we set aside time to remember and honor those who fought and perished during times of war - from The American Revolution in 1775 to today's War On Terror. To date, that totals over 600,000 individuals who have given their all so that we can live free.
We may wish others a safe, but never a happy Memorial Day. This is a somber occasion. It is a time to reflect. A time to cry. A time to honor.
We dress in red, white and blue as an outward sign of our inward solidarity with those who served under our nation's colors - colors that in our Great Seal signify hardiness and valor (Red), purity and innocence (White), and vigilance, perseverance and justice (Blue).
We love this nation, its Christian heritage and the principles upon which it was founded. We remember these today. We are one nation under God, with liberty and justice for all. Some so strongly believed in these principles, that they put themselves in harm's way, to stand in our stead and reclaim for us our God-granted right to live and breathe free. We say, "Thank you."
Evil exists in this world, but by the grace of God, so too does a greater love. This weekend, many of us have reflected upon this love in the words of Jesus Christ: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." - John 15:13
We as Missourians and Americans are so richly blessed by the great sacrifices of others. As our forefathers have done before us, we humbly thank our great God who gave strength to these brave souls so we might experience freedom from tyranny. We thank Him for giving His very own Son so that we may have freedom from the bondage and wages of sin. We ask for His protection for all who serve. We ask Him to comfort all who grieve. We pause. We pray. We remember.
Taps, by Horace Lorenzo Trim
Fading light dims the sight
And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright
From afar drawing nigh,
Falls the night.
Day is done, gone the sun
From the lakes, from the hills, from the skies
All is well, safely rest;
God is nigh.
Then goodnight, peaceful night;
Till the light of the dawn shineth bright.
God is near, do not fear,
Friend, goodnight.
Vicky Hartzler