May 24, 2013

Memorial Day

Memorial Day has a special meaning to me because my family is steeped in military service.  My Grandfather served in WWI, my Dad served as a Marine in WWII, my Uncle served under General Patton in WWII and died from complications after stepping on a land mine, my father-in-law served in the Korean Conflict, my Cousin served in Vietnam, my brother-in-law served in the Army during that same time, and my Nephew served in the Marines and was a part of the initial envoy during the “Shock and Awe” attack that brought down Saddam Hussein.

It is a challenge to love someone who believes they have a call to duty.  However, it is an honor as well.  We want to protect those we love but when they believe their job is to place themselves in danger, then prayer is our only recourse.  That is why I am truly honored and humbled this Memorial Day.  I will be offering the benediction at a Memorial Day Ceremony and I know the audience will be filled with those that have lost their loved ones.

I will start out with a scripture that sums it up best in my opinion, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.”  (John 15:13)

The Greatest Generation

Today’s blog is dedicated to the generation appropriately named “The Greatest Generation”.  This was the generation of men and women that successfully navigated our country through the Great Depression and World War II.

I am intimately familiar with this generation because I was raised by parents who were from this era.  My Mom was a very loving woman with a loyalty to her family that went without question.  My Dad was a WWII Marine who possessed physical strength beyond his awareness.  As a young boy I used to enjoy watching my Dad shake hands with other men only to see a grimace sneak out across their face because his grip was so strong. 

In a nutshell, I think the example both my parents demonstrated did a good job of summing up this generation.  They were a generation that understood the value of love, loyalty, and strength.  Here’s to you, “The Greatest Generation”, on behalf of all Americans I thank you and ask that God will bless the remaining years you have on this earth.