A friend whose sons are serving in our military sent this reminder to me last night: “It is the veteran, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion. It is the veteran, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. It is the veteran, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the veteran, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble. It is the veteran, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial. It is the veteran, not the politician, who has given us the right to vote.”
How will you observe Memorial Day this Monday? I’d like to make three suggestions. The first is for Texans and all who have elections next week: vote. The presidential and Senate primaries have come to our state, as well as a host of other offices. Important propositions are on the ballot as well. Fallen veterans paid the ultimate price to defend our nation. The least we can do to follow their example is to serve in the way all citizens of a democracy should.
Second, pray for the families of fallen veterans that God’s grace would be their strength. Ask the Father how you can be his hands and feet to those in grief and need (1 Corinthians 12:27). Look for opportunities to show your gratitude for such sacrifice.
{source}<iframe style=”float: right; border: 1px solid #000000; background-color: #C0C0C0; padding: 2px; margin: 10px; -moz-border-radius: 3px; -khtml-border-radius: 3px; -webkit-border-radius: 3px; border-radius: 3px;” width=”400″ height=”225″ src=”http://www.youtube.com/embed/-IyE-pCr8Bo?rel=0″ frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen></iframe>{/source}Third, I want to recommend an opportunity a friend has brought to my attention. “Carry the Load” was founded in 2011 by former Navy SEALs Clint Bruce and Stephen Holley. Their mission is “to highlight the meaning of Memorial Day across America, ultimately driving attention and steering resources towards existing non-profit organizations already supporting veteran families and veteran organizations.”
Executive Director Coleman Ruiz served 12 years with U.S. Navy SEAL teams. He completed six Middle East deployments and commanded the elite counterterrorism unit, SEAL Team 6. He is currently leading a 1,700 mile relay that began at West Point, New York on May 1 and will conclude in Dallas, Texas on May 27. Commander Ruiz is carrying the badge of a NYC firefighter who lost his life on 9/11 and several other items of significance.
This morning, the relay is traveling along I-30 west towards Dallas. When it arrives, a second walk will begin in Dallas and continue for 20 hours and 12 minutes. Participants are carrying items that belonged to them or family members who served or are serving our country. Organizers hope to raise $500,000 to help veterans’ families and organizations. You can visit their website to learn more.
Moina Michael, the woman who conceived of wearing red poppies to honor those who served in World War I, explained their symbolism with a poem: “We cherish too, the Poppy red / That grows on fields where valor led / It seems to signal to the skies / That blood of heroes never dies.”
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