Memorial Day: freedom, liberty, honor, bravery, hero. A grateful nation pays tribute annually to those who lost their lives in the defense of freedom. The original designation of Decoration Day in the 1860’s was declared Memorial Day in the 1950’s with the declared purpose to pray for permanent peace. How are you celebrating this day? Do your children know why they are home from school? It is so easy to take for granted the freedoms that we enjoy; whether it is the freedom to attend church and pray, or march and burn the flag. But the greater responsibility is to pass on to our children and grandchildren, the stories of the personal courage, love of country, and dedication to duty sacrificially given by so many. My son calls his grandfather to thank him for his military service each year. When I heard about these calls, my heart filled with pride for my son and his gesture of love and renewed appreciation for my father and this service to his country.
President Bush, in conjunction with Congress, proclaimed this Memorial Day as a day of permanent peace and asked the nation to unite in prayer at 11:00 AM. Please take a few moments to bow and pray for peace, our nation, its leaders, and our men and women in uniform who serve all over the world.
Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war’s desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust.”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
God Bless America!