Memorial Day

Sunday worship at Oakhills Church began in a very special way yesterday. In observance of  Memorial Day, we were blessed by a color guard in the presentation of our flag, then paused to remember those who have fallen in battle, and honored the families of those who have served and are serving our country. 

Later in the service, Randy Frazee reminded us that every Sunday is a memorial day in that we assemble to praise God for the gift of His Son, and to honor Jesus in remembering his death, burial and resurrection. 

 We are truly a fortunate people to experience the freedoms we sometimes take for granted, knowing that we enjoy numerous blessings that are not enjoyed by the citizens of most countries. Further,  stop and think of the events of the cross and realize our sins put Jesus there, and his rising from the tomb brings eternal life for us. Freedom is such a great blessing. 

One of the things that happened in our remembrance of Memorial Day was the reading of another verse of the Star Spangled Banner. I had to admit I didn't know there was more than the one verse that is so familiar to us. My research found that there were as many as 18 verses, some of which are quite descriptive of the scenes which Francis Scot Key, the writer, visualized during actual battles.  

Here is the other verse which was read to us Sunday:

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Memorial Day brings a special memory to me. I remember as a boy visiting at my grandparents home around Memorial Day.  My grandfather had the duty of placing a small American flag on the grave of each fallen soldier and other deceased veterans. 

As we walked through the little cemetery which my grandfather knew so well, we went completely through all the rows of tombstones and placed the flags in their appropriate places. It did not dawn on me until later years that one of those flags was placed on the grave of my grandfather's own son. An uncle that I never knew, lost his life in France in World War II. Now things are brought closer to home when I think of the numerous relatives that have served our country and have returned home safely, and I give thanks for their service. My thanks and honor continues for the multitude of families that have lost loved ones in service to our country. 

It's best said in the verse above, "may the heav'n rescued land Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us as a nation."  That power is God, and he continues to be our only hope for national preservation. Today as we give honor to whom it is due, let us ever hold as our motto, "In God is our trust."

<ronbwriting@yahoo.com>