Musing for Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day

It was told Joab, "The king is weeping and mourning for Absalom." So the victory that day was turned into mourning for all the troops; for the troops heard that day, "The king is grieving for his son." 2 Samuel 19:1-2 (NRSV)

As we prepare to enter into Memorial Day weekend with its designation as the “unofficial” start to summer and picnics, parades, flags and remembrances I want to share with you something that I often share in worship on Memorial Day weekend at the beginning of our prayer time concerning Memorial Day; something that reminds us of the meaning and significance of this day.

Memorial Day, or Decoration Day, began in 1868 when members of the Grand Army of the Republic heeded the request of their commander, General John A. Logan, to decorate the graves of their fallen compatriots. It has since become the day on which the United States honors the dead of all its wars and is observed as a legal holiday in most states on the last Monday of May. National services are held at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington, Virginia. In 2000 then President Bill Clinton asked the nation to endorse a humanitarian organization's addition of a moment of silence to the holiday, designating 3 P.M. local time for a minute of quiet reflection on the meaning of America's war dead.  [Bibliography: Litwicki, Ellen M. America's Public Holidays, 1865–1920. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 2000.]

Tomorrow we remember the 25,324 who died in the Revolutionary War, the 562,130 who paid the price in the Civil War, the 116,708 who were killed in action during World War 1, the 408,306 who died in the Second World War, the 52,246 who died in action in the Korean Conflict, the 58,219 who were killed in Vietnam, the 241 who died in Beirut, the thousands of others who have died in various attacks, wars, police actions, UN operations, NATO campaigns and the over 4,000 and counting who have died in action in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Tomorrow we remember all these mostly young men and women who have been killed in Defense of our National Interest.  We also remember the untold thousands who died in these conflicts who were designated as our enemies and the millions of civilians killed by our wars.

Tomorrow, let’s pray from deep within ourselves that not one more life be lost in a military action.  Let us pray that our nation will become a nation of peace.  Tomorrow, remember those who have been left alone by the deaths we memorialize and pray for them too.  As we honor the fallen and remember the departed let us commit ourselves as followers of the Prince of Peace to the cause of peace and justice.

Memorial Day has also become a day we remember all our loved ones who have died. People often visit graves and place flowers. In some places it is the time families clean and spruce up the graves of their departed. I find it interesting that this weekend has such a duality about it. On one hand it is a full blown holiday weekend that is the first “summer” weekend of the year. People go camping. There are picnics. Often there are fireworks at ball games and musical events in public parks. And of course there are parades, lots of parades and speeches and celebrating. And on the other hand it is a reflective weekend where people bear in mind those they have lost, relive their grief, remember their loved ones and contemplate the effects of war on their lives, the lives of others and the world. Of all our holidays this one seems to be the one that calls forth from us the widest range of emotions.

So I hope you will allow for this range of emotions to be felt. Don’t deny your grief. Don’t downplay your mourning. Don’t apologize for your indignation about the cost of war. Don’t feel badly that you are enjoying the time off, the picnic and the fun. Don’t worry about pointing a finger at God and asking, “Why?” Let yourself feel what you feel and me gentle with yourself and others.  I hope you have a restful and rejuvenating holiday weekend.

Dear God, I pray for those who have been killed in wars and for those who grieve for them. I pray that we can find a way to solve our differences as nations and peoples that does not involve war. And I thank you for all those who have been willing to defend their nation and its freedoms and ideals. I also pray for all who have died and for those who feel their absence. Bring all these people your grace, comfort, and peace. Amen.