Churches celebrate
Memorial Day

By Ira Thompson

PALM SPRINGS, California—U.S. President Harry Truman (1945-1953) was once asked to speak at a fund-raising project to help the children of a White House guard who was slain in the line of duty. With great emotion he said, "You can’t imagine just how a man feels when someone else dies for him" (Our Daily Bread, 2002).

Have you ever thought, does anyone in the church remember the thousands of service members who have died fighting for our way of life? I have, many times. You see I have been in the United States Marine Corps for 23 years and have been attending the WCG for the last 14 years. I have often wondered during this time of year, does anyone in the church remember?

This year on May 25 and 26, something special happened at three churches in the Inland Empire. Pastor Thomas Ecker conducted the first Memorial Day service in all three churches since their opening some 15 to 20 years ago. Many veterans, spouses of veterans, and children of veterans were in attendance. They remembered…

Do you remember? I read the following to the Marines I am in charge of on Memorial Day and share it with you to remember those who have gone before us and have made the ultimate sacrifice.

From the order of Gen. John A. Logan in 1868, which eloquently proclaimed May 30 as Decoration Day, the tradition of honoring the memory of those who gave their lives in defense of freedom has continued for more than a century: "Let us, then at the time appointed, gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with the choicest flowers of springtime…

"Let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those who they have left among us as sacred charges upon the Nation’s gratitude—the soldier’s and sailor’s widow and orphan."

Many of my Marines are married and have children, but we know each day we must be ready to go into harm’s way on a moment’s notice. We know we may not return. Living this way may seem strange to some, but it’s the way of life for a service member. Staying ready constantly reminds me of being ready when Jesus returns, because we do not know the time of his return.

On May 24, about 1,700 of my Marines went for a three mile run around the base to clear our minds. Afterward, and with the assistance of the American Legion, I gave the message below to remind them that the world can change on a moment’s notice.

"On this day last year, we were a nation at peace. Today, we are a nation at war.

"Blue star service banners are displayed in front windows of houses and businesses across America. They remind us that a loved one from that family in our community is serving in the armed forces, battling terrorism in Operation Enduring Freedom.

"Sadly, Gold Star Banners are replacing some of the blue [indicating that the service member was killed].

"The men and women we send into harm’s way today differ little from the doughboys who fought in the trenches of France. Or the GIs who stormed the beaches at Normandy. Or the troops who bought inches with blood at Korea’s Chosin Reservoir.

"Indeed, they are no different than the millions of men and women who have answered the clarion call throughout American history. As did those before them, the men and women we honor today did their duty.

"Regrettably, this year we must add 3,000 more names to the list of our honored dead. Not all were in the armed forces, but some were. All lost their lives on Sept. 11 or the days following.

"It is fitting that as we remember the military men and women who died in service to America, we ... remember as well the first casualties of the War on Terrorism. They too are American heroes who died in the line of duty.

"I’m speaking of the 23 police officers, 37 Port Authority police officers and 343 firefighters who forfeited their lives on Sept. 11 at New York’s World Trade Center.

"They gave their all in service to their country as surely as if they had been on the frontlines of Afghanistan.

"Again, young Americans wearing the uniforms of our armed forces are fighting in a war without borders and without clearly identified combatants. Some of them have already forfeited their lives for our nation.

"Today I ask you to remember them all. Say a prayer for them. And never forget."

I am reminded each day of what a wonderful God we have and what a blessing it is to live in this country, and sadly what it may cost me and my family.

Ira Thompson is a member of the Palm Springs, California, church.

HONORED VETERANS—Ira Thompson (second from left)
and Ken Main (second from right) with their families from left
Steven, Alena and Deborah Thompson, and Mary Main. [Photo by Terry Lortz]

Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 2002