It might be a guy thing, or maybe it’s just me.
But I’ve always wondered what it would have been like to have been a soldier in combat. Would I have been willing to pay the cost of sacrifice? How would I have handled the inevitable fear? Would I have been brave, especially when it mattered most?
I’ll never know those answers. But that unknown makes my appreciation of those who have served in the military even greater.
Remembering Those Who Paid the Most
In the article on “What We Learn From Those in the Service” I talked about the gratitude I feel for those in the Armed Forces, all of whom have sacrificed a great amount.
This Memorial Day, we should remember there are things more important to consider than enjoying a long weekend or the start of summer. This holiday is also about more than patriotism, which is certainly admirable.
Memorial Day is to honor those in the service who made the ultimate sacrifice, the soldiers who gave their lives for their country, and for us.
“A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.” (Joseph Campbell)
What We Can Do
Fortunately, most of us will never have to declare what we are willing to die for. But we can think about what we will live for.
Because the best way to honor those who have died is by how we choose to live.
We can express our thanks and respect to those who paid the ultimate cost by choosing to sacrifice ourselves, by becoming part a cause that is bigger than us.
“True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost.” (Arthur Ashe)
What are you willing to sacrifice in order to serve?
Because service always has a cost.
Question: What comes to mind when you remember the soldiers who died for our country?
Action: To read about someone else who died for us, go to 1 John 3:16.
Photo by DVIDSHUB 
Photo by m01229
