Memorial Day, 2021

 

And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” (Luke 22:14-20).

 

There is a cemetery in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, said to be the birthplace of Memorial Day. There, three young women, Emma Hunter, Sophie Keller and Elizabeth Myers, began the custom of decorating soldiers’ graves in 1864, while the Civil War was still being fought. They wanted to recognize the contributions of villagers who had given their lives in defense of their country. It was a simple recognition done with what was at hand. Most of the floral arrangements would pale in comparison to those used today. They were the simple bouquets they made from some homegrown flowers. The idea of decorating graves caught on, and today, because of the thoughtfulness of Emma, Sophie and Elizabeth, millions of people across the nation this Memorial Day will remember with deep affection those whose lives once touched theirs.

 

Nowhere in the United States will this practice be more evidenced than Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, just across the Potomac River from Washington D.C. Part of the 612 acres of what is now Arlington National Cemetery was originally Robert E. Lee’s homestead. In 1864, with Lee away commanding Confederate forces in the Civil War and a pressing need for burial space in Washington, the government seized the property and made it a military cemetery. In 1868, the first national commemoration of ‘Decoration Day’ took place there, a tribute later renamed Memorial Day. There are men and women buried there from every war America has fought since the Civil War.

 

All of these made incredible sacrifices for our freedom to be maintained. However, I would be terribly remiss if I didn’t remind us that this hard won freedom is temporary. The only eternal freedom was secured by one sacrifice, freely and totally given by the only begotten Son of God, Jesus. Certainly we must remember all those who have died in service of our country; however, we dare not forget the sacrifice of our eternal Savior, Jesus. Remember Him today also!