A Fresh Look at Memorial Day

In 1915, a WWI battle raged in Belgium for 17 Days. John McCrae, a medical doctor tended to many of the wounded in that battle. One of McCrae's best friends was killed in that battle. McCrae penned the poem "In Flanders Fields" to memorialize the battle and to remember his friend who died in the battle. The poem reminds us even today of those who have given their lives in the fight for freedom worldwide.

IN FLANDERS FIELDS

by John McCrae

"In Flanders fields the poppies grow,

Between the crosses, row on row;

That mark our place; and in the sky

The Larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt drawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie,

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe;

To you from failings hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high,

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields."

John McCrae wrote the poem from the perspective of those who died in that battle. Their request is that those living continue the quest against those who would destroy or take away freedom.

The United States entered WWI in 1917. From then until now through the fighting of WWI, WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and now Iran, over 600,000 American soldiers have paid the full price of devotion with their lives. These are the ones we remember on this and every Memorial Day. Many of us could list the names of those we have known that are included in that 600,000+ number of men and women who gave the full measure of devotion.

In 1993 our family vacation made an extended stop in Washington, D.C. One of the most impressionable stops was the Arlington National Cemetery. There we saw the row on row of crosses marking the graves of so many who gave their lives. One of the most moving experiences was observing the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The ceremony is very military, very precise, and very reverent. It is a reminder of one whose life was given in battle, but whose remains could not be identified. But it is also a reminder of all the hollowed and sacred ground upon which so many have paid the full price for freedom.

Jesus told us in Matthew 24 that after His crucifixion and resurrection, before He returns to earth again, there will be wars and rumors of wars. We know that to be true as we continue experiencing wars in our lifetime. Soldiers pay a price in time, service, and sometimes death to protect freedom which is temporary in our world. They have repeated the process time after time.

Jesus' death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead set in motion God's promise of freedom that is not temporary but eternal. For those who put their full faith and trust in Jesus Christ, there is coming a day when we will experience an eternity of peace and rejoicing in God's presence because Jesus paid the price for our salvation and freedom from sin.

Today, it is most appropriate that we remember and give thanks for the 600,000 who paid the price for our temporary freedom. It is also appropriate that we give thanks and remember in full faith Jesus who paid the price for eternal freedom.

My prayer is that each of us might recognize our need to trust in Jesus for our salvation and to share Him with others that they too might have the promise of eternal freedom and life.