Last fall Billie and I and some close friends visited the Shenandoah Valley, a beautiful stretch of fertile pasture lands and verdant forests, which are bounded to the east by the Blue Ridge Mountains and to the west by the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians. The northernmost boundary, the Potomac River, separates it from Washington, D.C.
From a lofty lookout point on the Blue Ridge Mountain Hwy the valley appeared to be a patchwork quilt made up of neatly carved out farms intermingled with hardwood forests. The hillsides and much of the valley were a blaze in the vibrant colors of fall. A brisk breeze ruffled the treetops freeing the bright yellow, crimson red and fiery orange leaves from their temporary tethering. The leaves wafted in the wind and swirled around before blanketing the forest floor.
As we drove through the countryside we saw many historical markers identifying various battles and skirmishes that took place during the Civil War. A few of the locations were familiar to me. I assume it was from my high school history class or more likely they were lingering memories of a TV mini series I watched more than a decade ago. However most of the hollows, fords, rivers and runs held no previous memories for me. Some of the commemorative markers were flanked by grave sites with head stones identifying the men whose fortunes and lives had been spent defending their beliefs, their families and their country.
That night we stayed at a bed and breakfast that was well off the beaten path of highway 81. Early the next morning, as I peered out the window of our second story room I noticed several small tombstones near the back of the property. The lawn had been neatly mowed and a small, but beautifully maintained flower garden was immediately adjacent to the weathered markers. I inquired of the house’s owner if it was a family burial plot. She explained that several gravestones were the original homestead owner's and notably one was that of a Union soldier.
It peaked my interest. “Wasn’t this region part of the confederacy?” I asked.
“Yes,” she answered.
“Was this the site of a battle or skirmish?” I asked.
“No, but there were several battles a few miles away.” She replied.
I think she could see I was curious so she continued. “As the story goes a severely wounded Union soldier approached the family house. He was too weakened to go any further. And even though he was from the other side, in essence an enemy of the confederate states, the family had compassion and took him in. They nursed and cared for him for many weeks, but his wounds and the infection that likely followed claimed his life.
During that short time the soldier expressed his desire to be buried where he wouldn’t be forgotten and neglected, someplace where his grave would be tended and adorned with flowers. When he passed away they respectfully and lovingly buried him alongside the plot reserved for their family.
More than a hundred and fifty years have passed since then and the house has changed owners several times over the years. Each new owner has been entrusted with sacred charge to maintain the little cemetery with its flowers.
General Robert E. Lee’s family estate sat atop the rolling green hills just beyond the Potomac River. Arlington, as it was affectionately called by Lee, was confiscated in 1862 shortly after the commencement of the Civil war and sold to the federal government.
In May of 1864 Gen. Ulysses S. Grant crossed the Rapidan River of Virginia to face Robert E. Lee. In the nearly forty days of continuous fighting that ensued more than 80,000 soldiers died. The cemeteries in the capital had run out of space. There was no where to bury the dead from either side. Many were laid to rest in the fields, along the roadside or in the forest where they breathed their final breath.
With the casualties mounting at an unexpected pace congress created a national cemetery system to accommodate, “the soldiers who shall die in the service of country.” Amidst considerable controversy Arlington became one of several sites set aside as the final resting place for those who died in the service of their country. In the ensuing years soldiers from both the north and the south were buried there.
Many years later, following the conclusion of the “Great War” (World War I), thousands of U.S. servicemen were still unaccounted for—their unidentifiable remains buried throughout battlefields in Europe. To honor their service and sacrifice congress decided to create within the Arlington cemetery a memorial for the lost, but not forgotten American heroes. On November 11, 1921 with President Warren G. Harding officiating, the Unknown Soldier of World War I was buried there.
“Since the Unknown (soldier) had no name, no home, no rank, and not a scrap of evidence suggesting his identity, he could be claimed by everyone. Mothers who had never recovered their sons from Europe allowed themselves to think that the boy in the casket was theirs.” (Washington Post, Nov 12, 1921)
Today the inscription on the tomb reads,
“Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to god.”
Memorial Day was established to commemorate and to remember those who have fallen in battle while defending our freedoms. For me Memorial Day also awakens an appreciation for the sacrifices made not only by those who have perished in the service of our country, but also those wounded in the service of our country. My thoughts are turned to the families and caretakers who give of themselves on behalf of our wounded warriors. In addition my heart and prayers are filled with gratitude for the many who continue to serve today.
I know some are probably thinking, isn’t that what Veteran’s Day is for?
Yes, that’s true. But isn’t also true that a person can offer no greater sacrifice for his friends than to lay down his life in their service? In effect following the example of the Savior who laid down his life for all mankind. And doesn’t this magnitude of sacrifice merit our remembrance more than one day, one three day weekend a year? Wouldn’t our communities, our nation and our world be a better place if we spent more time remembering the dedicated selfless service of others and less time remembering their faults, frailties and foibles.
Remembering means more than merely having a day off from our labors. And yet regrettably, for some that is what Memorial Day—the day to remember our fallen heroes has evolved into.
In its deepest sense remembering requires quiet reflection. An active thought process and effort which brings to the forefront of our minds memories of the great sacrifices made by so many in the past, and so many who currently serve in our armed forces, peace corps and missionary efforts around the world. Overwhelmingly it is our young people who defend peace, promote peace and bring the peace of the gospel, the peace that never faileth to distant lands, obscure villages and towns all over the world.
When we truly remember we would do well to ponder the freedoms and liberty that are so often counted for naught, taken for granted or altogether forgotten.
Why is it so important to remember? I can give you three reasons, they are not the only ones, just the three that are at the forefront of my thoughts this Memorial Weekend.
Remembering the past we can better prepare for the future. The only way this can be a blessing in our lives is if we maintain, and protect from corruption our sacred history. History is not something for politicians, novelists and filmmakers to mold to their own ideologies or to warp and deform to meet their personal basis or progressive world views.
Never could there be a more destructive or greater disservice to mankind than for those who have been blessed to be in leadership positions to ignore history that doesn’t suit their agenda, to rewrite or edit out the hand of providence—God’s hand, in the foundation and establishment of our great nation. All too often these same individuals and organizations promote obscure and even fictitious claims justifying their actions saying, “the end justifies the means.” It never does. The sacrifice of one’s integrity incurs a debt that can not be paid by mortal man. A debt for which justice will demand full recompense.
Second, remembering the sacrifice of others, not just in war time but in times of peace as well. Even in times of relative peace there are tens of thousands of young men and women who have delayed their educations, separated themselves from family and loved ones in order to be ready at a moment’s notice. Their constant vigilance comes at a great price and their personal sacrifices are many. On this special holiday I choose to remember the living and their families as well as all those who gave their all for our freedom and the freedom of countless others around the world.
Lastly, remembering how we have been preserved by God’s hand, prospered by His divine guidance and personally blessed to live in this great land imbues us with a sense of profound gratitude. Feelings of gratitude soften hearts, open ears and shed the scales of indifference and hatred from our eyes. Thus permitting us to see things more clearly, to see things and people as they really are. To love and be loved by those who might have otherwise been our enemies.
Ancient prophets have admonished us to remember how merciful the Lord has been to the children of man, from the time of Adam until our day. We are commanded to remember, but of what lasting value is it to merely remember if we don’t not act on our feelings of gratitude?
But what can I do? What can any of us do that will make a difference? It’s memorial day weekend and your to do list already includes the annual BBQ, swimming, gathering with family, relaxing and enjoying the freedoms and wonderful blessings that we are so abundantly blessed with. Do you find yourself feeling a little crunched and short on time?
Let me share with you a simple act of kindness, a thoughtful gesture that undoubtedly draws near to the real intent of Memorial Day. See if this doesn't inspire you and perhaps give you a few ideas on how you can better remember those who have fallen in the service of our country, those currently sacrificing their time, talents and who stand at the ready to make the ultimate sacrifice.
After stopping in a Dunkin Donuts this past March, a young woman returned to her car to find an envelope left under her windshield wipers. Inside she found two $20 bills and a note that read:
“I noticed the sticker on the back of your car. Take your hero out to dinner when he comes home. Thank you both for serving. Him deployed and you waiting—United States Veteran / God Bless.”
The sticker on the back of her car read "Half my heart is in Afghanistan." The heart is her boyfriend, who is serving abroad in the Army. She went home and posted a photo of the anonymous gift on Facebook, as it was too early to call her boyfriend. Above the photo she wrote, "There are no words to describe how I'm feeling right now. Tears in my eyes. I just wish I could thank whoever did this! God bless our troops and all of those who stand behind them." The photo went viral as did the feelings she conveyed.
“God Bless Our Fallen Heroes and all those they’ve left behind. God Bless our troops and all those who stand behind them.”
There's something wonderful about anonymous generosity, the tomb of the unknown soldier, the final resting place of the Union soldier in a small Confederate town, and the simple acts of kindness prompted by the light of Christ and acted upon by everyday, down to earth genuinely good people. They permit each of us, in small but significant ways, to be a part of a much greater force for good in the world.
Certainly you can visit cemeteries and place flowers on grave markers and tombstones. But, if visiting a national cemetery is not your thing, if you don’t personally know of any veterans, or if those you do know don’t live nearby there is still much you can do. Each of us can show compassion to veterans and their families who are struggling here at home. We can also remember those who may at times feel neglected or alone, the feelings of their hearts being riveted on distant shores, on stormy seas or in faraway lands while their loved ones are serving abroad.
Ask yourself, “have I done any good in the world today?” Then go out and quietly, anonymously make a difference, make a veteran or his / her family’s day truly memorable. Be a doer of good deeds known only to God. Happy Memorial Day!