Iwo Jima Flag Raising
photograph by Joe Rosenthal
Source: www.iwojima.com

Memorial Day   By Leah Smith | posted 5/26/2002

My mom wanted a “grandson fix”, so I was toddler-free for the morning.  I celebrated by shopping at one of my favorite stores, Sur la Table.  With some birthday money burning a hole in my pocket, I reveled in the luxury of browsing the aisles without worrying about what fragile item Henry may be snatching from his seat in the stroller.  I had seen a vibrant red platter with an American flag on it in the latest catalog, and it was even more stunning in person. 

As I went to display the new platter in my home, I got to thinking about Memorial Day.  For most of my life, I must say that it has fallen into that category of “I’m not sure what the holiday is for exactly, but it means I have a 3-day weekend”.  I knew it had something to do with flying flags and honoring soldiers who died in battle, and also something to do with visiting gravesites in general. 

Last week, my husband was talking with a Canadian co-worker who asked him, “I’ve got to learn about America since my son is growing up here!  So, what’s Memorial Day about?”  Dave responded that it had something to do with honoring soldiers who died in battle.  She said, “Okay, so how do you honor them?”  Dave paused, “Well, I guess people usually have barbeques…..Oh yeah, and I think they do a ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.”  Hmmm.  Seemed like we could all use a bit of education…

I typed a search into Google, and one of the first hits was a page from Christianity Today.  From some of their information and links there, I learned that Memorial Day was started in 1868 at Arlington National Cemetery as a way to honor the Civil War dead.  After WWI, the holiday was expanded to honor those who have died in all American wars.  Each year, flags are placed on each and every grave at Arlington (and at many military cemeteries across the nation), and it is customary for the president or vice-president to give a speech honoring the dead at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  Some families have also expanded the holiday to remember their own dead, whether they served in the military or not. 

I don’t think about war that much, and like many Americans who grew up post-Vietnam, I am ambivalent about it.  The attacks of September 11 have brought war and the cost of freedom to the forefront of my thinking in a way that I can’t ignore this Memorial Day.  With the United States at war in Afghanistan and with the report of the latest officer killed in combat (Sgt. Gene Vance Jr, who died on 5/19/02), the idea of soldiers killed in battle is all too real and current.

My Gen-X ambivalence about war is also complicated by my uncertainty about what God must think of war.  I am grateful to the men and women who died that I might enjoy the life I have here in America – the incredible freedom to do and believe what I choose.  I am grateful for our peaceful democracy – where even the president gives the office gracefully over to the elected victor, and my life goes on as if nothing changed.  I am grateful for the relative safety I experience in my daily life, and am grateful to bring up my child in such an environment.  But I am still uncomfortable with the idea of war itself.  Part of me thinks there has to be a better way.  But another part of me thinks about the fact that we are all human and fallible, and perhaps war is the only way in some instances.  Jesus died in the “war” against sin.  His death is the ultimate sacrifice, and he died defending the deepest Truth: God loves me and wants me to know him personally.  Jesus’ death gives me the ultimate freedom: freedom from the death of sin.  Jesus had to die, so that I might truly live.

This Memorial Day, I want to have more than just a barbeque and a 3-day weekend.  I want to honor those who have died for me and my country.

Before I throw my chicken breast on the grill, I plan to take some time to pray.  I will:

1. Thank God for those who have died defending the United States.
2. Pray for the families of the dead, especially for the families of those who have died in our current war in Afghanistan.  (If you’d like to pray for them by name, you can click here.)
3. Pray for the families of those who died on September 11.  (Click here for a list of the victims.)
4. Thank God for sending Jesus to die for me, and for all humankind. 

How about you?  What are your plans for Memorial Day?

Grace & Peace,

Leah Smith

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it."  John 3:16-17 (NLT)

To respond to this message, please direct your emails to: lsmith@ecreekside.com

p.s. Here’s another interesting link:  Portraits of Grief: The NY Times is publishing a short, insightful bio of victims of September 11.

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