Remember - A Message For Memorial Day

Remember

Psalm 22:25-29

Intro.

This is Memorial Day week-end

      It’s sad that many do not know nor recognize what this day

      Is all about.

      It was to be a day for mourning and remembering those

      who had died in battle.

      It was started after the civil war the remember those who

      had did in battle.

      Different states held it on different days. 

      On the first memorial day on May 30, 1868 it was  proclaimed that it was “for the purpose of strewing with

flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late

rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land.

I. Remember the people – Those who fought.

      Vs. 29 “they that go down to the dust”

A. Remembering those who died defending our freedom.

1. Second Seminole War: The American army suffered 1466 deaths, 328 were killed in action, the rest

died  by disease.  There was also 69 deaths in the navy.

No one seems to know how many Seminoles died in the war, but about 3000 were taken captive and                    moved to the west.

2.Civil War: Approximately 620,000 Americans died. The Union lost almost 365,000 troops and the

Confederacy about 260,000. More than half of these deaths were caused by disease.

      3. World War I: 116,516 Americans died,

      4. World War II: 405,399 Americans died.

      5. Korean War: 36,574 Americans died.

      6. Vietnam Conflict: 58,220 Americans died. More than 47,000 Americans were killed in action and nearly              11,000 died of other causes.

      7. Many others in wars fought over the years since Vietnam  Memorial Day was set aside to remember all

those who had died in serving their country

B. It was NOT intended that Memorial day should be observed by parties, and bar-b-ques, etc.

            It was to be a day of mourning and remembering

C. There may be people you personally know who gave their

lives in battle.

1. Family members

2. Tribal members. Go visit the wall that the Veterans Park

Remember the people

II. Remember the price – Death

      A. Memorial Day in not to be compared to Veterans day.

            Veteran’s Day is for the living.

            Memorial Day is for the fallen.

      B. The price was high – these soldiers gave their life for

           their country.

      C. They highest price that could be paid. A price that cannot be repaid.

            1. We cannot give them their life back.

            2. We can only give them honor, and respect.

            3. That is why the flag should fly at half staff till noon.

III. Remember the principle – Freedom

      A. In every war the principle was the same – Freedom.

      B. We were not fighting for expansion.

      C. We were not fighting to take over other nations.

      D. Our soldiers died fighting for our freedom.

            1. We should never take for granted.

            2. We should never forget the price that was paid.

            3. Psalm 22:26 

                  a. We should be humbled.

                  b. We should praise the Lord.

IV. Remember the prize -- Victory

      A. The sacrifice of our fallen warriors has led us to victory.

      B. They didn’t retreat

      C. They didn’t give up.

      D. They didn’t quit.

      E. They fought till the victory was won.

Conclusion:

      Take time to remember those who died for you.

      Take time to reflect on the freedoms you have.

      Take time to raise your voice in praise to God. Vs. 27