Memorial Day Thoughts

A week ago, I heard that a soldier just received the Congressional Medal of Honor. In Iraq he watched as a hand grenade was thrown into his vehicle. It rattled to the floorboards. He was manning the machine gun on top and was in a position where he could have safely bailed out of the vehicle. But beneath him, his four comrades were unaware that it was there. Rather than jump, he dove after it, covering it with his body. His four friends lived but young nineteen year old Ross McGinnis did not.

I was driving in my car when I heard it. I just had to pull over and talk to God about it. It is incredible how a young man would make such a selfless decision. Jhn 15:13 says “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” To me, the stunning reality of this verse is that it is walked out time and again by our sons and daughters. So young. So much to life yet to be lived. But in an instance the choice is before them and they make it so their friends can live.

I am sure McGinnis’s parents were stunned at the news. I am sure their grief was immense. I had a family member a long time ago who got similar news. The letter she received is now famous for its heartfelt message of condolence. I like to think of it on Memorial Day. Its author admits that condolence is not possible at a time like this. But it is important to recognize the enormity of the selfless act of all of our sons and daughters who have died for our country.

The letter was written to Mrs. Lydia Parker Bixby

Executive Mansion,
Washington, Nov. 21, 1864

Dear Madam, --I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts, that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle.

I feel how weak and fruitless must be any words of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering to you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save.

I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours, to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of Freedom. Yours, very sincerely and respectfully,

A. Lincoln.

For many of us, Memorial Day is just another day off. Fishing season starts, swimming pools are opened. But we all get to do that because many purchased our wonderful freedom with their very lives. Let’s remember and honor them today.