The television reporter stood in the cemetary “between the crosses row on row” saying to the viewing public, “This is why we have Memorial Day.” On Saturday morning before the holiday, the reporter had strolled the local mall asking random people, “Why do we have Memorial Day as a holiday?” There were a few who knew. But there were many who said it was a day to have hamburgers and hot dogs with family and mark the beginning of summer at the beach.
I remember Memorial Days in my home town. Mother, Laine and I would be in front of Edwards Drug store with the other VFW folks offering poppies for sale to support veterans. Daddy was a graduate of VMI and an officer in WWII. He was pulled from service in the final physical before the unit he commanded shipped out for Normandy because of a rheumatic heart. His unit had over 100% casualties. Had he gone that day, my sister and I likely would never have been born.
Remembrance shapes us in ways of thanksgiving and awareness of the sacrifices of others. Remembrance calls us to live in ways that value and honor people who have lived and loved, served and given. Does remembrance influence our decisions? Does remembrance guide discernment? Can remembrance lead us to different outcomes?
When Jesus calls us at table to “Do this in rembrance of me,” do we? Do we remember and live a life shaped by the remembrance of God’s saving acts in Jesus Christ?
The psalmist says that we are to tell the generations the stories of God, the stories of God’s saving acts, the glory and the responsibility. On this Memorial Day, as we enjoy our families and our burgers, let us remember that freedom comes with great responsibility. Debts have been paid on our behalf. Live well in remembrance and thanksgiving of all that is yours because others have paid a price.
