Memorial Day
I am grateful that in Utah, at least in my family, memorial day celebrations go beyond honoring only military deceased. In my family, it is a tradition to visit all of the graves of close family members who have died, and place flowers on their graves.
I would much prefer to remember all those who went before, not just those that died in military service.
Of course I salute those brave men and women who gave their lives. Sometimes they were actually defending our freedom, sometimes they were aiding another country’s freedom, and sometimes, sadly, they were probably part of an aggression in what could be considered an unjust war. However, I believe the vast majority of our military dead, and veterans, were being true and faithful to the light they had received. I have two grandpas that are veterans and their service was honorable, patriotic and selfless.
Unfortunately, I find too often that days like today tend to set military and war on an undeserved pedestal, glorifying war. I choose to remember the vast number of Americans killed in action as a reminder of the high, high cost of war, which should be avoided in all but the most extreme cases. Peace, diplomacy, patience, long suffering and persuasion are the ways of the Lord. It is the adversary that raises up armies and nations to war one with another
Therefore, renounce war and proclaim peace, and seek diligently to turn the hearts of the children to their fathers, and the hearts of the fathers to the children; (D&C 89:16)
So today, I am grateful for the selfless service of my ancestors by putting their lives on the line to serve when their country called. But perhaps I am even more grateful for the myriad of souls who lived out quiet peaceful lives, worked, raised families, and some of whom were able to put their own exposure to the horrors of war behind them to do that which truly makes America great: live in freedom and peace.
Posted by Ben on Mon May 25th 2009 at 05:15 PM #