Memorial Day connotes many things to different people. For some it is simply a three-day weekend as well as an excuse to start up the grill. It means shopping to take advantage of sales for others. And, it is the unofficial start of summer. However, its roots are more sober-minded. Let’s focus on its true meaning this weekend. Doc Hastings, a former Congressman from Washington, said, “137 years later, Memorial Day remains one of America’s most cherished patriotic observances. The spirit of this day has not changed–it remains a day to honor those who died defending our freedom and democracy.”
Memorial Day is a day of reflection. We take time to honor the brave men and women, who have given the ultimate sacrifice and have laid down their lives for our country. We remember, honor, and thank God for them.
John 15:3 says, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” The men and women we honor this weekend lost their lives for millions of strangers, but also their close family and friends. Freedom is not free; it costs lives.
Therefore, freedom is something we should hold dear. May we never take it for granted. Ronald Reagan said, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction…It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.”
The United States is the “home of the free because of the brave.” In conclusion, to each person that has given the ultimate sacrifice, we thank you. And to all the Gold Star families, who mourn your father or mother, brother or sister, son or daughter, we also thank you for your service on the homefront. We stand with you.
“Over all our happy country,
Over all our Nation spread,
Is a band of noble heroes–
Is our Army of the Dead”
~Will Carleton.
From the whole team at Mike Goins Real Estate: Happy Memorial Day! Enjoy your freedom and honor our fallen.