This weekend has been set aside as a time that our nation honors men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice of their lives for the cause of freedom and for the security of this country. Memorial Day initially started out being called Decoration Day, which was established to honor the men and women who died during the many battles of the Civil War. Memorial Day was established by Congress as a National Holiday in 1971 to honor all fallen men and women who served this country.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery reminds us of the ultimate sacrifice that was paid to defend our freedoms and liberties in this great country called the United States of America. Did you know that each soldier who volunteers to “stand guard” at the tomb must commit 2 years of his life to guard the tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES? They cannot swear in public FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES and cannot disgrace the uniform {as in fighting} or the tomb in any way. Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniforms ready for guard duty. Guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year. The guard takes 21 steps (alluding to the twenty-one gun salute; the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary) in front of the Tomb of the Unknowns, pivots, pauses 21 seconds, and then repeats his 21 steps. The first six months of duty a guard cannot talk to anyone, nor watch TV. All off duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. A guard must memorize who they are and where they are interred. After two years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb. There are only 400 presently worn. The guard must obey these rules FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES or give up the wreath pin.
Consider for a moment the freedoms that we do enjoy: being able to move within our country without state borders and restrictions, the freedom of speech, the freedom of religion, the freedom to be gainfully employed, the freedom to seek higher education. Throughout the history of this country, many have volunteered to not only protect, but willingly gave their lives to secure these freedoms; and, today we still have an all volunteer military. However, many today believe that the “freedom” we enjoy in this country is equated to being able to do what I want, when I want, and where ever I want – without ever considering the cost and/or the responsibilities of doing so; yes, “liberty” and “freedom” bear responsibility.
Let us be reminded here that it is not man or country that provides us our freedoms (meaning, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness). It is our Creator [God] who does so – for it is He who created man and it is He who ordained governments to be formed. When we realize that true Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness can only be found through a personal relationship with our Creator – through Jesus Christ – our “freedoms” will become more precious and appreciated. But now, let us consider the following question, “How many of us (as children of God) would volunteer to ‘guard’ the Scriptures, the true message of salvation (meaning, the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ), the importance of serving in a local New Testament church (where God receives honor and glory), through a lifetime of service unto the Lord in self denial and following Jesus?”
Luke 9:23 states,
And he [Jesus] said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”
Living in “freedom”, which can only be found in God’s salvation, provides us the “liberty” to serve our Lord daily, as the apostle Paul stated in Galatians 2:20,
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
If we are going to truly remember all those brave souls (the spiritual and the battlefield warriors) who willingly laid down their lives for us, let us walk in the steps of Jesus FOR THE REST OF OUR LIVES; so that at the end of our journey Christ can state, “Well done thou good and faithful servant.”
