05/29/2023
Memorial Day... What else can be said?
Maybe there's a better question.
Throughout the past few years, I have read and listened to many heroic stories, sermons and personal recollections about men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to America.
Many of us have visited battlefields from multiple conflicts seeing firsthand where our heroes fought and died.
We’ve met with WW2 allies and brave civilians from the French Resistance who fought evil alongside our warriors.
Something profound occurs when people from different generations, nations and political viewpoints come together to examine the solemn impact of those who have died in service to their countrymen.
What else can be said?
Infinitely more can be said about the combatants, their experiences and their short lives.
Libraries can be filled with more words about wars, warfighters and what it means.
But, rather than saying more, perhaps we should ask a different question.
What can we learn from their individual sacrifices?
More specifically, what can I learn from one warrior's sacrifice?
"Regardless of my background, active-duty military, veteran or civilian, how can I apply what I learn about one man or woman who stood in the gap for me?"
John 15:13 is often referenced on Memorial Day because it speaks directly to the heart of the matter; “Greater Love hath no man that this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”
When I turn off all the distractions and focus deeply on what Jesus said, I begin to see an individual life represented by each grave marker.
When I consider the love one fallen warrior had for fellow warfighters, the nation, his or her family & friends and for life itself, I begin to see something very different on Memorial Day.
Suddenly, I don’t see a mass of sacrifice… I see one individual who loved enough to sacrifice for his friends.
I see one teenage boy who never became a husband or father.
This Memorial Day, I am focusing on the life of a fellow aviator from my pilot training class who was killed in an F16 crash as Desert Storm approached.
As I go back to those days in my mind, I begin to experience the depth of Mike’s sacrifice at an entirely different level.
You may not know a military person who has died in America’s service, but it’s easy enough to find one.
Consider researching a man or woman who perished in one of our country’s conflicts.
It doesn’t have to be a recent war, it could be from the Revolution, 1812, Civil War, WW1, WW2, Korea or Vietnam.
Think about the loss of generations stemming from one war death and the possibilities had that warrior lived.
Mike’s life ended in the desert sand over 30 years ago… what would his life's impact been had he survived?
What changed in our world, because Mike volunteered to serve?
Asking simple questions about another person’s life reveals profound insights.
For me personally, I begin to experience the depth of a warrior's love from a new perspective.
Applying these insights makes today and every day on this planet more important... even when the days are very tough.
I am blessed to still have a life to live... a life I can play full-out with those who want to join me.
This pursuit encourages me not to give up on America, because the warriors under each Cross and Star of David never quit.
Each warrior gave the last full measure of devotion.
What can I learn from Mike’s sacrifice?
Steve
P.S. Examining history is important. So is looking forward. Today's warriors are really up against it.
This September, we have a unique opportunity to support our front-line aviation warriors as they hone their combat capabilities to defend America against formidable threats.
If you’d like to know how you can join us for an American Air Dominance Celebration onsite in Savannah, Georgia or virtually, message me and I’ll make sure you get the details.
