The Wonder of Sacrifice

​Today is Memorial Day in the U.S. It began as a national observance after the Civil War as a time to remember and honor those who had paid the ultimate sacrifice for our nation, dying in battle.

While we still know that is the reason for this holiday, for many of us it’s become more about a long weekend to kick off summer. It’s not a bad a thing to enjoy barbecues, camping, time with family and friends, and other activities during this holiday weekend, but I do think it is still appropriate for us to take some time to remember as we enjoy our early summer activities. After all, it is because of their sacrifices, that we have the freedom to enjoy the activities of our choosing this weekend.

According to the website military.com, over 1.3 million military members have died while fighting for our country. That doesn’t even include those who have lost their lives in training accidents or other duties. What a staggering number! Not only did those 1.3 million plus military members give the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of our nation and our freedoms, but most if not all of them left behind loved ones, friends, and family who paid the sacrifice of grief and loss. What we can so easily take for granted, has come a such a great cost.

If we stop and think about, many of us have people somewhere in our family trees that have paid this ultimate sacrifice. For some of us it may have been someone close to us who we still love and miss. For others of us it may be a more distant relative who we never really knew, but if we take time to consider it some of the realities of these sacrifices become clear.

I grew up knowing that one of my Grandpa’s brother’s had died in World War II. As a kid growing up and honestly as a young adult, I never really thought about what that meant. As I’ve gotten older and learned a few more things about him, I’ve finally realized how tough that must have been for my Grandpa and his family. Jimmy was the youngest of four brothers and was killed in action in Japan less than five months before the war was over. From the stories I heard he was a vibrant young man who enjoyed life, riding on roller coasters with my Grandma when my Grandpa refused to join her. The grief must have been so difficult for all of them, but especially my great-grandparents. To add to the grief experienced by them all, it took months before his body could be returned for burial, and they were the lucky ones because some families of service members didn’t ever get that opportunity.

This is a story that in one way, shape or form can be repeated over 1.3 million times by families in our country during the last 250 years. It is devastating and yet encouraging. It is dreadful and yet deserving of honor.

In the Bible, Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

While not all of those who have given up their lives for this country were followers of Christ, many were and they followed the example of His sacrifice for us. All of these military members exemplify what Jesus said. They each sacrificed their lives for their friends and countrymen, to protect us, to protect our nation, and to protect our freedoms.

The least we can do is sacrifice a few moments today remembering and honoring them and wondering about the magnitude of their sacrifice.