The dead soldier’s silence sings our national anthem.  ~Aaron Kilbourn

Today I pause to remember those who have died in service to this country. In my lifetime, this observance has fallen in importance. Certainly I wasn’t taught that it was all that important–another 3 day weekend. But yesterday at the church I attended the entire service was devoted to the honor of Memorial Day Sunday. Taps was even played. I have been thinking on this since.

I came from a family of military people–my father and one uncle career Coast Guard, another uncle career Navy, and their older brother died in WWII.  My mother’s uncle died at the close of WWI, and not in combat. He had gone all the way through the war and just two days after it ended, he was performing an air show for dignitaries in celebration, and his plane crashed. He had gone voluntarily to the war; he had fought and was looking forward to coming home again. He never did.

In 2000, the “National Moment of Remembrance” resolution was passed and signed by President Clinton, urging all Americans to pause in a moment of silence at 3p.m.. You can learn more on the history of Memorial Day at usmemorialday.org.

Dear God, I pray for our hearts to be open, that we think of those who have given us what we have in this country, and that someday on this earth there will be no more wars. Amen.

Tomorrow I will return with the name of the winner of the weekend book giveaway, as well as a new giveaway.

Blessings,

CurtissAnn