Ecclesiastes 3:1;4
To everything, there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
In many ways, Memorial Day is a time to mourn. It is a weighty day for Americans to remember those who died to protect our freedom. It is the day we honor the soldiers, airmen, airwomen, and marines who did not return home. Over 1.3 million Americans gave their lives to give us freedoms that we take for granted every day.
In 1971, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which established that Memorial Day was to be observed on the last Monday of May. Memorial Day is commemorated at Arlington National Cemetery each year with a ceremony in which a small American flag is placed on each grave. Traditionally, the President or Vice President lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. About 5,000 people attend the ceremony annually.
For many, Memorial Day is just another holiday celebration. But for many others, it is a time to mourn the loss of a friend or a loved one. As we honor our veterans on this Memorial Day, let us also remember the families of those servicemen and women who did not come home. Let us pray that God will ease their pain. To those brave servicemen and women: thank you for your service.