Legacy of Freedom

It’s a hard thing to lay down one’s life for another; most of us would never do it. Yet, over the brief history of our American Union, from the Revolutionary War to the present, more than 1.3 million American soldiers have done exactly that.

We owe them far more than a day of remembrance: we owe them our very lives. We owe them the liberty we so take for granted.

This Memorial Day the average American will enjoy the extra day off work. Maybe he will drink some beers with friends and toss some burgers on the grill. Maybe he won’t give a second thought as to why he can do these things.

This national holiday was originally known as Decoration Day: a day of remembrance to honor the fallen of the Civil War. Since WWI, it has been broadened to include America’s heroes in any war. We should not lightly take the sacrifice they made on our behalf. (The immediate families of those fallen soldiers certainly didn’t.)

I encourage every individual who breathes American air to take time, at 3PM on Memorial Day, to observe the National Moment of Remembrance. Stop what you’re doing for a few minutes to consider the freedom you have and the price paid to give it to you. Consider what you would do to preserve it. Give thanks to God and to the American soldier, for being willing to die for you.

After the moment passes, consider carrying on the rest of your day in a manner worthy of their sacrifice. And when the day is done, carry on that way tomorrow, as well.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high!
—Lt. Col. John McCrae, “In Flanders Fields”

For our great future together, I remain
Most Solemnly Yours,

Scott Rupert

* Images provided courtesy of LensPassion.com