What Memorial Day means to veterans
On Memorial Day there will be parades, memorial services, special programs and picnics. Like many other people, veterans will also take a moment to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. However, for the veterans who served alongside them and were blessed enough to survive, Memorial Day will serve as a reminder of the person they knew as a friend. With this in mind, we should stop for a moment and consider what does Memorial Day mean to veterans.
Veterans live with the impacts of service
Veterans often bear the scars, the aches and pains, and the disabilities of service. However, they typically do not ask for understanding and patience from others when they walk a little slower, if they can walk at all. They do not ask for understanding and patience from others when hearing is a little harder, if they can hear at all. And they do not ask for understanding and patience when they need someone to listen to their horrific memories, if they can speak about it at all.
All veterans are asking for on this day is that those who are absorbed with living their lives; that are oblivious to the sacrifice that others have made on their behalf; and do not know the trials and dangers of service; would stop for a moment and think about who provided them their freedom. That these were real people; with real lives; with real families; and with real friends and loved ones.
Veterans live with the memories of friends they lost
For the veterans who knew those that lost their lives in service, all they are asking for on Memorial Day is that people would place their lives on hold for just a moment. In that moment, they would listen to the stories and accounts of those they knew as friends. In doing so, it will honor and respect the memories of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Likewise, it will inspire a whole new generation to take their place standing in the gap that separates freedom from tyranny and will ensure that their sacrifice was not in vain.
Veterans salute those now standing in harm’s way
Finally, to the brothers and sisters in arms standing in harm’s way today. We veterans salute and thank you for standing in the gap long after our time of service has ended. We thank you for giving us the opportunity to remember our friends as one day you will remember yours. We also still get that proud feeling when we see you doing things that only veterans have done. Whether it is flying a bird or driving a boat; executing a fire mission; preserving the fighting strength; or simply standing watch on the middle of nowhere in the night; we are blessed by your service.
Thank you for your service
This is what Memorial Day means to veterans and when we hear someone who was not a veteran say, “Thank you for your service,” we would be inspired to say, “You are worth it.” May God bless you and keep you as we remember your sacrifices and sleep in peace tonight.
John 15:12-15. “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.”
If you are struggling with experiences you had as a veteran while serving, find out how to access VA mental health services. Help is available for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), psychological effects of military sexual trauma (MST), depression, grief, anxiety, and other needs. You can use some services even if you’re not enrolled in VA health care. For more, check out the VA Mental Health Services Web Page: VA Mental Health Services
Dr. Michael L. Williams, Head of Ministry Operations and Technology at Christianity Every Day, is a Christ-centered Author, Educator, Biblical Counselor and Advisor. He is ordained in Pastoral Ministry and formerly the founding Pastor of Selah Mountain Ministries, a church started along with his wife, Pamela Rose, after several years of pastoral experience and training in Biblical Counseling. Selah Mountain provided Biblical counseling and education to the public on how to overcome life issues Biblically on topics such as anger management, marriage, addictions, and other subjects – often referred to as mental illnesses. To learn more about Dr. Mike visit the About page.
