Monday, May 30, 2016

WE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER


Today is Memorial Day.

A day in which we honor all those who have given their lives defending our country.

I got curious this year and wanted to learn more about this special day of commemoration.

So I googled…

This from Wikipedia:

"Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for remembering the people who died while serving in the country's armed forces.  The holiday, which is observed every year on the last Monday of May, originated as Decoration Day after the American Civil War in 1868, when the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of Union veterans founded in Decatur, Illinois, established it as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the Union war dead with flowers.  By the 20th century, competing Union and Confederate holiday traditions, celebrated on different days, had merged, and Memorial Day eventually extended to honor all Americans who died while in the military service."


I further researched and found these statistics from The Department of Veterans Affairs and The Department of Defense –it's rather staggering and sobering…

Wartime U.S. Military Deaths:

Revolutionary War – 4,435
War of 1812 – 2,260
Indian Wars – 1,000
Mexican War – 13,283
Civil War – 498,332
Spanish American War – 2,446
World War I – 116,516
World War II – 405,399
Korean War – 54,246
Vietnam War – 90,220
Persian Gulf War – 1,948
Global War on Terror – 6,852

The total number of Americans killed in all U.S. wars is almost 1.2 million.  

(This does not include those who are MIA – people missing in action.  In WWII alone, this number is 30,314).

And the deadliest battle in U.S. history was the Battle of Argonne Forest during WWIa battle that resulted in more than 26,000 deaths. 


Yes.

Overwhelming, isn't it?

For these are not just statistics, these are people, individual lives.

And each of these deaths profoundly affected countless others' lives.

The casualties of war are far-reaching and never-ending.

That's why I think it's important to take this day and rememberto really ponder the sacrifice, and really appreciate what all those lives were sacrificed for.

For they did not die in vain.

They fought for a cause, they fought for us


It's easy in our country to take for granted all the many freedoms that we enjoy.  

These freedoms, as outlined in Franklin D. Roosevelt's State of the Union Speech (also known as the Four Freedoms speech) given on January 6, 1941, are the following:

Freedom of speech
Freedom of worship
Freedom from want
Freedom from fear


It was a powerful speech, given in the context of World War II, just 11 months before the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and America's subsequent entry into the war.

For many, many decades, men and women have sacrificed their lives to ensure that our country enjoys these freedoms.

We must not forget their sacrifice…


In this past week, I have done so many things that would not have been possible if someone hadn't fought for this country – for my country – for your country.

Last week, I bowed my head and said *grace* at a restaurant – Thank you.

Last week, I drove my car, with a Jesus sticker on itThank you.

Last week, I read my BibleThank you.

Last week, I spoke to someone about my faith Thank you.

Last week, I attended church and worshipedThank you.


Have you stopped lately and considered what a privilege it is to do these things?

We have the glorious freedom to worship our Lord – freely and publicly.  We are not in danger of being thrown in jail, or tortured, or killed.

And so many sacrificed so much in order for us to have that freedom.

Today I don't think it matters whether we agree or don't agree with political policy. 

Today it doesn't matter if we are *hawks* or *doves*. 

Today we simply focus on peoplereal people who served our country, who died for our country – because they believed in freedom.


Currently there are five branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, six including the National Guard.  (Many have subdivisions such as the Navy SEALS, the Army Rangers, and the Air Force Special Operations Command).


Here's the motto of each:

United States Army: "This we'll defend"

United States Navy: Non sibi sed patriae (Latin for "Not for self but for country")

United States Air Force: "Aim high... Fly, fight, win"

United States Marine Corps: Semper fidelis (Latin for "Always faithful")

United States Coast Guard: Semper paratus (Latin for "Always ready")

National Guard of the United States: "Always ready, always there"


Let's take a moment and remember…

Those who gave their lives to defend.

Those who gave their lives, not for self but for country.

Those who aimed high – who flew, fought, and won.

Those who were always faithful.

Those who were always ready.

Those who were always there.


In their honor, if you know someone who has served, or is serving, this country in the armed forces, I would encourage you to reach out to them today.

Tell them how much you appreciate them.

Tell them we will always remember them. 

Tell them…

Thank you.


And on this Memorial Day, may we take time to remember those who gave their lives – what they fought for – what they sacrificed for – what they believed in


One nation…under GOD.

God, the One we serve and worship…

The One who gave His Son…

The Son who died to bring freedom…

The Ultimate Sacrifice.


Thank You.



Do you know anyone who gave their life in service to our country?





How many times
must the cannonballs fly
Before they're forever banned?
The answer, my friend,
is blowing
in the wind,
The answer
is blowing in the wind.


(Lyrics from "Blowing in the Wind" by Bob Dylan)



Photo taken at the The Moving Wall™
Since 1984, the traveling half-size replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.








"Never was so much owed by so many to so few." 

(From a wartime speech given by the British Prime Minister Winston Churchill on August 20, 1940) 




***************************************



"'When you go out to war against your enemies, and see…an army larger than your own, you shall not be afraid of them, for the LORD your God is with you…And when you draw near to the battle, the priest shall come forward and speak to the people and shall say to them, 'Hear…you are drawing near for battle against your enemies: let not your heart faint.  Do not fear or panic or be in dread of them, for the LORD your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.'" (Deuteronomy 20:1-4, ESV)

"The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.  But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.  Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance." (Psalm 33:10-12, NIV)

"'…if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.'" 
(2 Chronicles 7:14, NIV)

"In the last days, the mountain of the LORD’s house will be the highest of all – the most important place on earth.  It will be raised above the other hills, and people from all over the world will stream there to worship.  People from many nations will come and say, 'Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD…There he will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths.'  For the LORD's teaching will go out from Zion; his word will go out from Jerusalem.  The LORD will mediate between nations and will settle international disputes.  They will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer fight against nation, nor train for war anymore." 
(Isaiah 2:2-4, NLT)

"He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth.  He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire.  He says, 'Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.'" (Psalm 46:9-10, NIV)

"'No one has greater love [nor stronger commitment] than to lay down his own life for his friends.'" (John 15:13, AMP)

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free." (Galatians 5:1, NIV)

"'So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.'" (John 8:36, ESV)

"Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power.  For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.  The last enemy to be destroyed is death." (1 Corinthians 15:24-25, ESV)

"…the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed or conquered.  It will crush all these kingdoms into nothingness, and it will stand forever." (Daniel 2:44, NLT)

"'The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.'" (Revelation 11:15, ESV)



Linked with:

SMALL WONDER, MONDAY'S MUSINGS, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL, GOOD MORNING MONDAYS, MONDAY OF MANY BLESSINGS, THANK GOODNESS IT'S MONDAY, THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS, MAKING YOUR HOME SING MONDAY, MUSING MONDAYS, MODEST MONDAY, MOTIVATION MONDAY, INSPIRE ME MONDAY, LIVING PROVERBS, MOM-TO-MOM MONDAYS, TELL ME A TRUE STORYUNITE LINKUP, TITUS 2 TUESDAY, LIFE GIVING LINKUP, WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, TUESDAY TALK, TELL IT TO ME TUESDAYS, RA RA LINKUP, TELL HIS STORY, WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY, A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS, WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, THREE WORD WEDNESDAY, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, COFFEE & CONVERSATION, SITTING AMONG FRIENDS, WINSOME WEDNESDAY, GRACE MOMENTS, GROWING IN GRACE, THANKFUL THURSDAYS, LIVE FREE THURSDAY, THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS, PARTY AT MY PLACE, SHINE BLOG HOP, THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY, FROM HOUSE TO HOME, THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS, LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY, COZY READING SPOT, 100 HAPPY DAYS, FUNTASTIC FRIDAY, BLOGGER SPOTLIGHT PARTY, FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, EVERYDAY TESTIMONY, FAITH FILLED FRIDAY, SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, FAITH 'N FRIENDS, MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET, GRACE & TRUTH, DANCE WITH JESUS, TGI SATURDAYS, FAMILY, FRIENDSHIP & FAITH, LET US GROW, WORD OF GOD SPEAK, SMALL VICTORIES SUNDAY, GIVE ME GRACE, SOCIAL BUTTERFLY SUNDAY




BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

31 comments:

  1. Amen! Let us always remember their sacrifices - His sacrifice! Absolutely staggering to read your compilation of all these facts, statistics, mottoes, and Bible verses! Wonderful tribute on this Memorial Day Sharon! Love the photo of the "Moving Wall" and your quote from the song selection and other historical quotes. Well done! Honoring ALL who fought and fight for our many freedoms that I am ever so grateful to have and hold, especially one Nation under God... may we always recognize the price paid for our Ultimate Freedom and may His Ultimate Authority guide and direct our nation, protect our military and government officials and may we bow our heads and our knees to the One who gave it all and those we commemorate on this day. Thank you for putting this memorable piece together to show our respect and gratitude! Bless you Sharon and may God bless America! ~ Peggy

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    1. also love your "grateful thoughts"! You really have a knack. But I have a question, up there in those spectacular mountains and artsy traditions, you have a local Mexican restaurant? Seriously? Lots of Hub shared and family which made this a really special week to read your grateful heart. Fascinating tidbits as always, Sharon ... beautifully written!

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  2. Those statistics coupled with your list of freedoms really help me to see the cost for freedom.

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  3. I am so thankful for the brave men and women who have and who are defending our great nation! God bless them and their families.

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  4. Wonderful....
    We have the glorious freedom to worship our Lord ....and we need to exercise that voice....Amen!

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  5. Beautifully written Miss Sharon! Have a blessed day!
    Mama Holli

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  6. A wonderful post, Sharon...and thank you for sharing all of this information that most of us probably did not know! It is easy to take the freedoms we enjoy in our country for granted....I am guilty of it at times, I reluctantly admit. Thank you for this great reminder. May *I* never forget! Have a wonderful week :)

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  7. We should ever give thanks for those who have defended the freedoms guaranteed in our Constitution. I can't imagine even living in a place where I'd have to keep my Christian beliefs under wraps to even stay alive, or maintain the safety of my family. We are blessed because of those brave and selfless souls who laid down their lives in testimony to the freedoms God gave us.
    With regard to the war statistics, as a transplanted Southerner, and full-blooded American, I find the number of those killed in the War Between the States to be the most alarming of all. That brother had to turn against brother, American against American. That war, as many have asserted, was not fought over slavery. It was economic. The South was being unfairly taxed (sound familiar?) by the North for cotton. I've read 40% in taxes. Outrageous! Taxation without representation. I fear, if things don't change with this next election, history could repeat itself.
    Gives me great comfort, though, to know God is in it all. May He bless all those who died for freedom!

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  8. I personally haven't met anyone that gave their life for our country; the ultimate sacrifice short of what Jesus did for us. It is truly a blessing that people want to go and serve, realizing they can lose their lives in doing so. Forever grateful for them and their service and for their families too, always wondering if their loved ones will make it home or not.

    betty

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  9. So grateful for the free country we live in and for those who give their lives to make that happen. Mostly when I think of living free, I think of His ultimate sacrifice and that gives me tremendous gratitute.

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  10. A very moving tribute. It feels strange for me to say I don't know anyone who died in service. Or maybe I do but I never heard. I was in the USAF the first time we went to Iraq. I didn't go because I was pregnant. But I know people who went. I never saw them again. I hope they came back. I only know people who lost people. My heart is with them.

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  11. Sharon, what a wonderful post to honor those men and women who have laid down their lives for our freedom...no greater love than this...many blessings to you.

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  12. Sharon, My brother-in-law and another friend both died in the early days of the Vietnam War.

    Thanks for reminding us of what we have because they were willing to fight for our freedoms.

    Blessings,
    Donna

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  13. Wonderful reminder, Sharon. I had not seen the statistics you mentioned here either showing how many died in which wars. Blessings.......

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  14. What a great post. I always seem to learn something roun' these parts.

    To look and think about everyone as someone's family member takes on a significantly deeper meaning.

    It's so important to ponder the smallest of gifts. We take so many for granted. Thanks for the reminder, sister.

    And I forgive you for the sticker on your car... 'cause it's one about Jesus...

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  15. Beautiful, Sharon. Just beautiful. xoxo

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  16. Wow, I had no idea that many people died in the Civil War and that the second for most deaths was WWII. Yes, so thankful that someone (many someone's) gave so sacrificially and secured our freedoms. Wonderfully said, Sharon. Thank you.

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  17. Wow what a fun little lesson I got today! I definitely didn't expect that:) Keep it up Sharon.

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  18. A solid tribute. I commend your time in writing this post. May we never take for granted the freedoms we have. The freedoms that came with a price.

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  19. Excellent post, Sharon. I'm sorry I missed it last week.

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  20. A beautifully written reminder for us to never forget what the soldiers in our country sacrificed for the freedoms we have. Thank you for sharing.

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  21. My great uncle on my dad's side gave his life on the USS Quincy in 1942. My mom's older cousin gave his life in France in 1945. There are several ggg grandfathers and uncles who gave their lives during the Civil War. These are men who I consider heroes because they were willing to make the sacrifice for our freedoms. Thank you for remembering them, Sharon. Thanks for linking up with Thankful Thursdays.

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  22. Yes, I know several who have given their lives in service to this country. And, no...I do not forget. I shall be singing "Blowin' in the Wind" the rest of this day. Thanks, Sharon, for such a great post with so much detail, and such a fine reminder!

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  23. Wars are terrible, but they continue and will continue as we hear or wars and rumors of wars. We lost a cousin Joe,in WWII. When I was a child, my grandmother always took flowers to the grave of my uncle on Memorial Day. He actually died in an auto accident, but the day was a good day to remember Uncle Carson. Thank you for sharing with us here at Tell me a Story.

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  24. Great reminder of why this day is important. Thanks for linking up with Funtastic Friday.

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  25. Great thoughts to remember.

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  26. Yes those numbers are overwhelming! Thank you for taking the time to investigate further. I am so thankful for those who serve to keep us safe.

    I have a sad story to share that I just heard about on Monday night. There was a terrible shooting in Houston, TX over Memorial Day weekend. The shooter happens to be a dear friends son. He has served in the military for many years and had breakdown. He was also shot and killed. I feel so terrible for the people he killed yet my heart also aches for my friend who lost her son.

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  27. Thank you so much for this wonderful post - Memorial Day often gets turned into a big party holiday, and yet it is there because we need to remember how safety often comes with a serious price. Thank you for sharing with the Cozy Reading Spot

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  28. Beautifully said, Sharon. We truly need to honor these brave individuals who gave their lives in order for us to live as free as we do. Thanks for sharing with #SocialButterflySunday! Hope to see you link up again this week :)

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  29. Where would we be without their sacrifice? We have much to be thankful for.

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"So [I] have been greatly encouraged in the midst of [my] troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives [me] new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How [I] thank God for you!" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!

(NOTE: Anonymous comments will be removed. Thank you for understanding.)