Thank you

1 John 3:16-18

Memorial Day, how did you spend this day? I went about as usual, knowing that the evening was set aside for family. During the day I noticed a few programs on television that honored our service men. Daystar, through the Joni program asked a color guard to perform. Did we talk about the day or think about why we set the day aside? Not really. It wasn't till my Toastmasters group the next day that thoughts and appreciation on Memorial day were shared. We talked about the flag, pigeons used in world war I and II, America and all it means to us, and those who die for our freedoms. That was the day my heart went out, that was the day of thankfulness toward one who gives his life or one who is willing to give his life.

I resolved to not let another Memorial Day pass with such casual remembrance. My children and grandchildren need to know the importance. Without the shot that rang around the world to the man or woman in the desert of Iraq we would not enjoy the most free, the richest and most blessed country in the world...America.

Several thoughts were tossed around in that one hour at Toastmasters. Table Topics, a time for impromptu speaking, centered on the flag. That one subject alone covered Memorial Day. It made us all think about the stripes and stars. The colors and what they mean. How the flag is honored and handled. My words remembered how it was in the fifties when I went to school and how we prayed to open the day and pledged allegiance to the flag. I fell in love with my country in the first grade. Others talked about their appreciation of service men and how much we need them, how freedom is NOT free...someone pays. Another indicated how God was first and family second but that her country held a dear third, indicating that America ranks high in her heart. We talked about various wars and all came to the same conclusion, the conclusion of 1 John. There is no greater love than when one lays down their life for another. The message written on our flag.

Thank you, who ever you are for laying down your life and for being willing to lay down your life. Thank you also to your families. All this that we might enjoy the freedoms we enjoy.

And...Thank you Christ, for laying your life down for us, that we might receive Eternal Life.

Thank you.