Madi is joining us today in honor of the Countdown to Memorial Day. I am super excited to have her along, and I know you’ll enjoy the post.

But first, I’ve got a question for you.

I know that I call this a Countdown, and that term is used in a wide variety of ways, but there is a purpose to this Countdown. I want you to be reminded that Memorial Day is rapidly approaching, but it isn’t just another excuse for a three-day weekend and a barbecue. This is a day of solemn remembrance. It’s a day when your heart should be humbled by gratitude to those who have died for you and their families who have given them for freedom.

Are you thinking of all the ways you can remember and honor those who gave us our freedom? Or have you forgotten them? Down in the comments, share one way that you will honor our fallen!

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“He said no because it’s ‘too political’,” a fellow church member said, brow furrowed as he recounted his attempt to convince his boss to donate to Wounded Warriors for the business’ monthly charity donation.

I gaped in shock, and despite standing in the church foyer, I had every inclination to verbalize my displeasure in no uncertain terms. Too political? How could one even come up with such an absurd claim?

What does this have to do with Memorial Day? At first glance, perhaps not much.

But it has everything to do with Memorial Day.

Memorial Day is a somber day. A solemn day. A day meant to remind us of our fallen soldiers and their ultimate sacrifice. This sacrifice does not just snuff out one life from this earth. It affects family, friends, and community. It is yet more blood spilled for the sake of protecting the greatest nation on earth.

These brave heroes do not die for only one side. They do not die for only one specific group of people. They die for the nation. They die for our foundation the Founding Fathers created for future generations. They die so we might remain free, so those who condemn them, scorn them, scoff at them, and forget about them remain able to do so.

Allow me to reiterate: they die for the nation. For the United States of America.

This is not political. This honorable. This is John 15:13, them laying down their lives.

By claiming support of a veterans’ organization is too political, you are saying those who survived their fight for our country are unworthy of your support. But why? They fought for everyone, did they not? They don’t draw names out of ammo boxes and say, “These are the only people I’ll fight and die for”.

When I say they fought for everyone, I mean everyone.

They made the ultimate sacrifice so you don’t have to.

They died so we remain free to say what we want about them, whether in honor or disrespect.

Their sacrifice is not political. They died for every resident of this nation.

I don’t care if you’re republican. I don’t care if you’re democrat. You better be honoring our fallen heroes. They sacrificed all for you—their families, futures, and their lives.

Their lives.

Not many would do that.

This Memorial Day, recognize that our fallen heroes died so you might remain free. May we remember them with honor, respect, humility, and gratitude.

And, if you are in the habit of condemning or bashing our fallen heroes/active ones, remember they are willing to give up their lives. They put others before themselves, and it cost them everything.

Most, likely including you, wouldn’t make that sacrifice.

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:13

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About Madi

Madisyn Carlin is a Christian, homeschool graduate, blogger, voracious bookdragon, and author. When not spending time with her family or trekking through the mountains, she weaves tales of redemption, faith, and action.

Editorial, graphic design, cover design, and website design services offered at Mountain Peak Edits & Design.

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Aren’t you grateful that those who have died, have done it for all of us? It’s not enough to just be grateful though. We need to be living lives worthy of their sacrifice.

A. M. Watson

Hebrews 13:8