Remember those who gave
Prior to participating in the invasion at Normandy (D-Day and following, June 1944), my father wrote to my mother from his base in England. Evidently, some soldiers complained that their correspondence was being censored too much. Daddy alluded to that in his letter before saying,
I don’t know if you’re getting all my letters or not, but I don’t mind if they take out something. They can black out whatever they need to. We all need to be doing whatever it takes to help defeat the enemy.”
My dad landed on Omaha Beach on June 10, 1944 as part of the 30th Division. The brave soldiers of June 6 had taken the brunt of the ferocious German coastal defense. More than 9,000 Americans are buried in the Normandy American Cemetery–in the land they helped liberate. We were blessed that my father came home from war.
Many did not. Over 400,000 Americans perished in World War II. Countless more casualties from numerous other countries brought grief to many.
All participants suffer in war.
We mourn the loss of loved ones. Spouses and children experience loneliness, financial hardship, and constant anxiety. Families are torn apart by death, injury, and depression. Even soldiers that survive to return home are forever traumatized by their experiences. Some lose limbs or suffer permanent physical or mental disabilities. Returning soldiers often succumb to drug or alcohol addiction. Some lose their peace. Families disintegrate. All are forever changed.
No one escapes unscathed from war.
These men and women chose to go into harm’s way to protect their loved ones, friends, and strangers. I hope and pray that we will thank those who serve us–our military, law enforcement personnel, and safety and medical teams. These dedicated people sacrifice, often in dangerous circumstances, to protect us.
As we commemorate Memorial Day, can you thank someone for serving and protecting you? If our loved one who served is gone, is there someone currently serving that we can thank to honor the departed memory of one who sacrificed for us?
Let us not forget those who sacrifice for us.
I pray also that we will also remember and thank our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who freely sacrificed His life for our sins. His gift is one of great love and in return he challenges us:
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
John 15:12-13
When we give of ourselves, we share the gift of love.
Wishing you blessings during this time when we honor and remember those who have sacrificed for us.
God’s blessings. Thank you for this post ma’am. While Easter tops my holiday lists; this is the one holiday when I feel the most sadness. I also feel unworthy for the sacrifices made for me.
I agree, J.D. When we remember those who sacrificed so much it is painful to think that, like Jesus, those brave men and women loved so much they were willing to give their lives. It’s very humbling.
Katherine, you included reminders to speak gratitude to the Lord who grants us freedom and to those who serve to protect us. Thank you for that and for sharing your dad’s letter that speaks of commitment and duty. Well done!
Thank you, Jeannie! Our freedom is a special gift for which so many have sacrificed. I’m grateful for your encouragement. Best wishes for the coming week, my friend.
This is a beautiful reminder of what we have and why we have it.
Thank you, Barbara. We are so blessed!
May the Lord encourage and bless you. This was a powerful and personal message. Thank you for reminding us to remember those who have fallen.
Thank you for your encouragement, Joshua. I hope and pray that we will always remember and honor those who protected our freedom, especially our freedom to worship our Lord. Wishing you continued blessings in your ministry.
Thank you Katherine! I’m thankful your father came home!
Thank you, Kathy. I’m glad, too, or I wouldn’t be here! Wishing you a blessed week.
Excellent and timely post, Katherine!! Thanks for sharing a bit about your mother and father’s experience. Real people giving sacrificially. What a blessing to us as a nation.
We are so blessed to have the freedom to vote, to voice our opinions, and most importantly, to worship our Lord openly and freely. What a debt we owe those who sacrificed for us! And, we’re blessed to be the recipients of an even greater sacrifice, when Jesus paid the debt to cover our sin. Wishing you a blessed week, Jeanne.
I’m so glad people like you are sharing stories to stir our hearts. These are not fictional—they are real people (your parents). And it was real blood that was shed. Real families torn apart. May we never forget the sacrifices made for our freedom.
God bless the USA!
As much as I enjoy reading fiction (and the stories we create), I agree with you, Beckie–the stories of “real” people really resonate with us. You remind us that real blood was shed, real heartbreak visited so many families, and real hardship resulted for families that lost loved ones. YES! May God continue to bless the USA!
Thank you for the great reminder…it’s so easy to overlook the blessings we have every day which were delivered by those who fought for them.
Your response also reminds me that we tend to overlook the blessings our Lord gives us each day. Thank you for that reminder, my friend.