Memorial Day

Today is a day of celebration. Picnics, family gatherings, and parades usually consume our time. But have we forgotten the reason we celebrate? I hope as Christians we remember those who gave their time, sacrificed their lives for our freedom of religion to proclaim Christ without worry of persecution. There are many servicemen and women in our communities who have marched on foreign soil in recent conflicts as well as past wars. Take a moment to shake their hands.

I’m looking forward to the Memorial Day Parade that will take place in about an hour. It has dwindled to a shadow of its former glory, but we still honor the vets who have made their final trek across the barrier of time. This is the first year since my father, WWII vet, passed away that we were home to participate in the parade. When I was a child, all the children in town joined in the parade as it passed by our houses. We carried bouquets of irises, peonies, snowballs, and forsythias to place on the graves. People don’t do that any more. Few even come out to watch the soldiers march…too busy with picnics and such I presume. Sad mark on our society.

Do you have a story to share about a veteran or perhaps your own story of service? I’d love to hear about it.

If you have served or you have endured long lonely days while someone you love served, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your sacrifice has not gone unnoticed.

See you in a twinkling,

Brenda K. Hendricks