Honor The Fallen
Remember the Sacrifice for Our Freedoms
According to the U.S Department of Affairs, Memorial Day is not only to commemorate those who have died in battle, but to give honor to those who live with the scars of battle received in seasons of war.
Pennie and I rode our motorcycle into Gettysburg, Pennsylvania – as we rode into the city you could feel the cost, lives lost, the sobering feeling of the reality of the bloodshed of sons, fathers, husbands, the brave men who died in battle. President Lincoln wrote in what is believed to be the second draft of the Gettysburg’s Address, which is owned by the Library of Congress, “It is fitting and proper that we should [honor those who have died serving our country.]”
Christian Scholars who have taken time to do the hard work of study and research have come to understand what one of America's Founding fathers, John Jay, knew – “After careful investigation along with fair reasoning of the whole of Scripture, which record institutions, declarations, and interpositions of the Almighty God, one can only determine that war is as lawful today as in the day of Abraham.” This is especially true in a nation with the motto, “In God We Trust.” General George Washington said, "One of the best ways to keep peace is to be prepared for war."
Jesus said, “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom…” (Matthew 24:6-7)
In the Book of Psalms, (Psalm 83:1-8) there is a description of nations whom will always have hostility toward the people who believe in God. From Biblical times to the present, there has been and will be those who pay the ultimate sacrifice – their lives in battle. Just as King David took time and told the people he ruled over to remember those who have fallen in battle (2 Samuel 1:17) – we are told in the Bible to give honor to those who deserve honor. (Romans 13:7)
King David reaped benefits for honoring the fallen. After the Philistines killed King Saul and his son Jonathan at the battle of Mt. Gilboa. (2 Samuel 1:4,17) David remembered his covenant (1 Samuel 18:3) by showing kindness to the only son left of Jonathan. In 2 Samuel 9:7 we read these words David spoke to Jonathan’s last living son, “Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father’s sake, and will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather, Saul; and you shall eat bread at my table continually.”
Later when King David had to run for his life from Absalom, [chastisement for his sin with Bathsheba] Machir, who protected Mephibosheth, also acted generously [as King David was to Mephibosheth, by allowing him to eat as his table continually]. The Bible says David received, “bedding and bowls and articles of pottery.” He also received “wheat and barely, flour and roasted grain, beans and lentils, honey and curds, sheep and cheese from cows’ milk” so David and his people could eat. For they “had become hungry and tried and thirsty in the wilderness.” (2 Samuel 17:27-29)
There are true accounts of fallen soldiers which should be shared on the nightly news which long surpass the media’s coverage of the latest happenings of today. It would be good for Americans to be reminded, especially in May, which is Military Appreciation month to hear daily of the lives sacrificed for our freedoms which out ways covering issues of confusion over sexuality, sports and Hollywood icons. The media and especially social media would be better off if they would set their focus on brave men and women who are being awarded with medals of valor, which overshadow the Grammy’s, The Oscar’s and the Bill Board awards.
Read these incidents of brave men:
1.) Buck Doyle, a gunnery sergeant in the U.S Marines Corps. He stood in a sniper’s direct line of fire in order to help a close friend, Sgt. Nick Walsh, who had just been hit by the sniper’s bullet, while Sgt. Walsh was being drug to safety.
2.) Army Ranger, Captain Russel Rippetoe valiantly gave his life in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He had earned the “Bronze Star” and the “Purple Heart.” While his body was laid to rest, his father Lieutenant Colonel Joe Rippetoe gave a farewell solute after a passage of Scripture, which was engraved on the back of his dog tags was read. It was a promise given to Joshua, who was a spiritual and military leader of the people of God, “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage. Be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed, for the Lord thy God is with thee.” Captain Russell Rippetoe joined a noble company of service and sacrifice of men and women who were strong and courageous and did not back off of their call and duty to the United States of America.
3.) There is the account of Cpl. Kyle Carpenter who received the Medal of Honor for jumping on a grenade to save his friend while in combat in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. His wounds were countless, shattered bones throughout the body, shrapnel in both legs, carotid artery in neck punctured, he lost most of his teeth, had a collapsed right lung, lost most of his jaw, lost vision in right eye, he had brain surgery to remove shrapnel, had a fractured skull, and he flat-lined three times during his procedure.
Much of his body suffered from the effects of the blast. However, there was a tattoo on his right side which was untouched, quoting Psalm 144:1 “Blessed be the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.”
During a Fox and Friends interview, Cpl. Kyle Carpenter was asked about his tattoo. His reply: “My fellow Marines and I understand the mortal nature of the profession, and my faith is important to me. This absolutely pertained to me and my fellow Marines who were going to be to the right and the left, fighting day in and day out. We all understood that there was a good chance that many of us were not going to make it back.”
Jesus said, there will be wars and rumors of war until the end. (Matthew 24:6) There will be those who will not make it back and there will be those who suffer the physical and mental scars of war. President Lincoln’s statement is as true today as it was at the Gettysburg’s Address, “It is fitting and proper [we should honor them].” Make time and effort to show compassion to families who have lost loved ones, fighting for the United States of America. Be creative in helping and assisting those who have lost loved ones in battle, especially, those who live with the physical scars of severing in the Armed Forces.
How should we pray for our service men and woman?
• Pray that the families, relatives and friends of our military members may be strengthened in this time of concern and anxiety.
• Pray that the Lord may help families with men and women in the armed forces to cope with daily challenges in the absence of their loved ones.
• Pray for our brothers and sisters as they go forth with courage and determination to face the forces of violence, weapons of destruction and hearts filled with hate.
• Pray that in the midst of destruction, the Lord will guide our service men and women, that they may be reunited with families.
• Pray for faith, hope, and comfort for all who are waiting for their soldiers to come home.
• Pray that departing soldiers will come to Christ and that they may be faithful, daily as they trust Him in the land of danger.
• Pray that those who are married will seek the Lord for strength to be faithful to each other in this time of separation.
• Pray that the Lord will reveal His companionship, strength and wisdom to all serving our country.
