"Keep "Memorial" in Memorial Day"

Dictionary.com defines "memorial" thusly: "something designed to preserve the memory of a person, event, etc., as a monument or a holiday."

The lives of the men and women who fought in America's battles, and who served their country in support of the military, made significant sacrifice in fighting for the freedom and liberty that we enjoy today. Among those, the freedom to be here to worship God this morning. Too often we fail to remember those who gave their life, or those whose life today bears the scars as a lasting memory of that sacrifice and commitment. But there are many who remember vividly as the lives affected were sons, daughters, friends, coworkers and neighbors - and that their unselfish sacrifice was made with the assurance that life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness required the ultimate service to our nation.

We have built memorials to some of the great Americans who have meant much in the development of our nation, such as, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington. The unsung heroes, however, are the many to whom Memorial Day is devoted.

The "Memorial" in Memorial Day has been ignored by too many of us who are beneficiaries of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. Often we do not observe the day as it should be; a day where we actively remember and appreciate our ancestors, our family members, our loved ones, our neighbors, and our friends who have given the ultimate sacrifice. To many Memorial Day is just a day off from work...a three-day weekend, an opportunity to cook out with friends or to go to the lake. Tomorrow, please take some time to reflect on the why and how that America is still the greatest country on the face of the earth.

There is little that bears more in support of the Christian and his or her beliefs than that of the freedom that we enjoy in America. Under many of the world's flags citizens may not get to worship in freedom…may not worship in the manner in which they wish. My prayer is that American citizens will always enjoy the freedom that has been hard won by so many. We must never forget that freedom is never free!