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We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties
of Heaven. For many years, we have been preserved in peace and
prosperity. We have grown in wealth and power as no other nation has
ever grown. Have we imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts,
that all these blessings were produced by our own superior wisdom
and virtue? Jesus
Christ is our Lord, his strength, the source of his leadership, and
his source of wisdom.
This Memorial Day lets Thank our Lord and
all the men and women of the armed forces and their families whome
have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Let's let them know that
We Are United In Prayer and
Remembrance.
The "Memorial" in Memorial Day has been ignored by
too many of us who are beneficiaries of those who have given the
ultimate sacrifice. Often we do not observe the day as it should be,
a day where we actively remember our ancestors, our family members,
our loved ones, our neighbors, and our friends who have given the
ultimate sacrifice:
by visiting cemeteries and placing flags or
flowers on the graves of our fallen heroes.
by visiting memorials.
by flying the US Flag at half-staff until noon.
by flying the 'POW/MIA Flag' as well
(Section 1082 of the 1998 Defense Authorization Act).
by renewing a pledge to aid the widows,
widowers, and orphans of our fallen dead, and to aid the disabled
veterans.
Also, please consider
adding your voice in support of the efforts to restore the
traditional day of observance of Memorial
Day back to May 30th (instead of "the last Monday
in May"). This would help greatly to return the solemn meaning back
to the day, and to help return minds and hearts to think upon the
ultimate sacrifices made by those in service to our country. Just
one day out of the year to honor our loved ones, our ancestors, our
friends who died in conflicts and wars -- not to honor war, but
those that died in those conflicts and wars.
Celebrate this Memorial
Day by going and buying some carnations and by
going to one of the nearby cemeteries and walk through the
sections for soldiers. Find a grave that has no flowers,
Leave one and say a prayer for the family of that person, who for
some reason could not bring their soldier flowers. I will pray for
our country and all who serve or have served. For their families,
who also serve by losing precious days, weeks and months spent
with their loved ones who are off serving, preserving peace and
the freedom we have in this country. I'll pray for the families
who paid the ultimate price, who's loved ones died, or were taken
captive and never returned. I'll pray for anyone who may still be
held in captivity and thinks perhaps they are
forgotten.
" America shall not
forget."
Eternal God, Creator of years, of
centuries, Lord of whatever is beyond time, Maker of all
species and master of all history -- How shall we speak to
you from our smallness and inconsequence? Except that you
have called us to worship you in spirit and in truth; You
have dignified us with loves and loyalties; You have lifted us
up with your lovingkindnesses. Therefore we are bold to come
before you without groveling [though we sometimes feel that
low] and without fear [though we are often
anxious]. We sing with spirit and pray with
courage because you have dignified us; You have redeemed us
from the aimlessness of things' going meaninglessly
well. God, lift the hearts of those for whom this holiday is
not just diversion, but painful memory and continued
deprivation. Bless those whose dear ones have
died needlessly, wastefully [as it seems] in accident
or misadventure. We remember with compassion those who have
died serving their countries in the futility of
combat. There is none of us but must come to bereavement and
separation, when all the answers we are offered fail the
question death asks of each of us. We believe that you will
provide for us as others have been provided with the
fulfillment of "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be
comforted."
John
15 13 Greater love hath no man than
this, that a man lay down his life for his
friends.
Sources and Related Links:
S 189 and H.R.
1474, bills to restore the traditional day of
observance of Memorial Day.
[www.usmemorialday.org/act.html]
S. Con. Res.
100, resolution for a National Moment of
Remembrance.
[www.usmemorialday.org/resolution.html]
Remember history's greatest Hero,
Jesus Christ
" Have a Safe and Memorable Memorial
Day "
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