By Jen Quinnelly, Bulletin Editor

Memorial Day is usually one of those holidays we all look forward to because if offers a three-day weekend. We make our plans to take a quick trip to the coast or visit with family and friends, but how often do we take time to reflect on the meaning of this holiday? I would venture to guess that we spend more time caught up in the rewards of the celebration than we do the who or what we are celebrating and honoring. Let’s take a moment to change that. 

The Who & the What:

Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on May 5,1868, by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. It was originally a holiday honoring those lost in the American Civil War but has since encompassed all those who have died defending our right and freedoms.  

Many have given their lives to ensure our national sovereignty, and many others have suffered the sacrifice of their family members. In an eloquent letter from President Lincoln to Mrs. Bixby, Lincoln expresses his condolences and heartfelt thanks to a mother who had lost five sons.

Dear Madame: I have been shown in the files...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 too 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.

President Lincoln’s words remind us that our national freedom has always come at a price, but it is a worthy prize for which to fight. A memorial for soldiers at the American Cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach contains this inscription:

These endured all and gave all that justice among nations might prevail and that mankind might enjoy freedom and inherit peace.

A Spiritual Memorial:

In remembering those who have given themselves for our freedom, I cannot help but think of the sacrifice Jesus paid on the cross for our eternal spiritual freedom. He gave completely of Himself, taking on the sin of mankind and sacrificing His own life to ensure our salvation and free access before God’s throne.

[Who (Jesus Christ)], though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:6-8)

We Christians also have the same opportunity to remember and honor our Savior who died so that we may have life. We remember Christ’s death and burial each time we observe Communion, but we also celebrate His resurrection through that observance. We serve a risen Savior. Our fallen soldiers paid for our physical freedom, but Christ paid for our eternal freedom.

On Memorial Day, we honor the price our soldiers have paid in defense of our nation. We owe them our thanks and their families, our support. Every time we observe Communion, we remember the eternal salvation provided for us. We owe Christ everything. Take time to reflect on both.