Here we are at the final day of the countdown.

Memorial Day.

A day of remembrance. A day of honoring and commemorating heroes who died for freedom. A day of contemplating the lives given for us.

This morning I am pinning a poppy over my heart and attending a special Memorial Day ceremony. How will you be remembering our fallen? Share it in the comments!

America’s service members are the lifeblood of our nation. Since America’s founding, over 1 million American service members have given their lives in defense of our nation. When these soldiers sacrificed their lives, it was the highest example of selflessness, barring of course that of our Savior.

Freedom does not come without a cost to maintain it. It is paid for in the blood of soldiers.

This is for them. No words can describe, in an adequate way, the gratitude that humbles our hearts for their sacrifice. Nor can they describe the terrible loss we feel in our hearts over them.

The video says pretty much everything I could say, and then some. We are forever indebted to those who have given everything for us.

(Please note: I am experiencing some difficulties with my video not playing correctly on mobile devices, specifically Android. To ensure that you get the full quality and experience with the video, I recommend watching it on a PC. You will be able to see the picture slideshow and hear some music if you watch it on a mobile, but there is a significant part that is left out. My apologies, I am working to resolve the issue.)

If you haven’t already seen it, (or if you just want to remember these incredible men again) check out the video from last year!

As we remember their sacrifices, I can’t help but think that the words to America the Beautiful fit so well.

“Oh beautiful for heroes proved,
In liberating strife.
Who more than self their country loved,
And mercy more than life.”

These soldiers loved their country and the merciful liberation of freedom more than their very lives.

Forever we will remember them.

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If you missed any of this week’s posts or last year’s, you can find them all here.

Please take time today to remember our heroes, and honor them by living a life worthy of their sacrifice. Don’t ever let their memory be forgotten. Carry the torch to the next generations. Teach them about this day, and why we remember our fallen. Talk with them about the price of freedom that has been paid in blood.

A. M. Watson

Hebrews 13:8