Remembering

Memorial Day 2014

 

Memorial Day, formally known as Decoration Day, originated after the American Civil War to commemorate fallen soldiers of the Civil War. This practice of decorating the graves of fallen soldiers has now been extended to all soldiers lost in service to their country.

The flag of the United States is raised briskly to the top of the staff and then solemnly lowered to the half-staff position, where it remains only until noon. It is then raised to full-staff for the remainder of the day. The half-staff position remembers the more than one million men and women who gave their lives in service of their country. At noon, their memory is raised by the living, who resolve not to let their sacrifice be in vain, but to rise up in their stead and continue the fight for liberty and justice for all.

Memorial Day, 2013

 

What Did He Die For?

by Twila Paris

 

 

He was 21 in 1944

He was hope, and He was courage on a lonely shore

Sent there by His mother with love beyond Her tears

Just a young American who chose to rise above His fears

And as I watch Him struggle up that hill

Without a thought of turning back

I cannot help but wonder

What did He die for when He died for you and me?

Made the sacrifice so that we could all be free

I believe we will answer each to Heaven

For the way we spend a priceless liberty

Look inside and ask the question

What did he die for when he died for me?

To the darkest day in A.D. 33

Came the mercy and compassion of eternity

Sent there by a Father with love beyond His tears

Blameless One, the only Son, to bear the guilt of all these years

And as I watch Him struggle up that hill

Without a thought of turning back

I cannot help but wonder

What did He die for when He died for you and me?

Made the sacrifice so that we could all be free

I believe we will answer each to Heaven

For the way we spend a priceless liberty

Look inside and ask the question

What did he die for?

He died for freedom, He died for love

And all the things we do to pay Him back

Could never be enough

What did He die for when He died for you and me?

Made the sacrifice so that we could all be free

I believe we will answer each to Heaven

For the way we spend a priceless liberty

Look inside and ask the question

What did he die for when He died for me?

 

Memorial Day, 2012

Memorial Day, 2012

Remembering those who died,

thankful for those who came home.



Memorial Day, 2011

Eternal God,

Creator of years, of centuries,

Lord of whatever is beyond time,

Maker of all species and master of all history --

How shall we speak to you

from our smallness and inconsequence?

Except that you have called us to worship you

in spirit and in truth;

You have dignified us with loves and loyalties;

You have lifted us up with your lovingkindnesses.

Therefore we are bold to come before you without groveling

[though we sometimes feel that low]

and without fear

[though we are often anxious].

We sing with spirit and pray with courage

because you have dignified us;

You have redeemed us from the aimlessness

of things' going meaninglessly well.

God, lift the hearts of those

for whom this holiday is not just diversion,

but painful memory and continued deprivation.

Bless those whose dear ones have died

needlessly, wastefully [as it seems]

in accident or misadventure.

We remember with compassion those who have died

serving their countries

in the futility of combat.

There is none of us but must come to bereavement and separation,

when all the answers we are offered

fail the question death asks of each of us.

We believe that you will provide for us

as others have been provided with the fulfillment of

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."

By Rev. Dick Kozelka (ret)

First Congregational Church of Minnesota

Minneapolis, MN.



Memorial Day, 2010

I was a proud veteran

That served my country well

To those that would listen

I had many stories to tell

We fought for America's freedom

In far away places on foreign land

Wherever the battle for democracy raged

America's finest made a stand

We fought for your future

And the right to remain free

For we saw what freedom meant

To those not blessed with Liberty

For you and yours
We would gladly have given our life
We faced the fears and perils of battle
We braved endless turmoil and strife

Please remember us veterans
And the sacrifices we made for you
Please share the blessings of freedom
Proudly wave the red, white and blue

Lynne Carey
2004