Memorial Day: Remember, Honor, Duty II

Memorial Day, formerly Decoration Day, is the holiday designated by law to commemorate and honor those who have fallen in service to our country (An interesting factsheet from our Embassy in Stockholm has historical background).

Primarily a military remembrance, the holiday has widened in meaning to honor and memorialize law officers and others who do so much to protect our freedom and liberty both here at home and abroad.

In little more than a week we come upon the second anniversary of the passing of another of those historic figures who did so much to keep us safe: President Ronald Wilson Reagan.

(Large photo here.)

So, it's appropriate that I invite you to share this video and song reflection from the Reagan funeral service at the National Cathedral as a tribute to all those who have given their lives defending freedom.

I strongly encourage you to play the music and see the video.

The hymn "O Love of God How Strong and True" (words from the Cathedral bulletin) is based on an English hymn "Jerusalem" inspired by the poet William Blake. I prefer the Blake wording, especially the last two stanzas:

Bring me my Bow of burning gold:
Bring me my Arrows of desire:
Bring me my Spear! O clouds unfold!
Bring me my Chariot of fire.

I will not cease from Mental Fight,
Nor shall my Sword sleep in my hand
Till we have built Jerusalem
In England's green and pleasant land.

The Greatest Memorialist: Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address

Perhaps more stirring even than the National Cathedral Choir are the simple, yet powerful words that Abraham Lincoln uttered to honor the fallen at the site of the battle of Gettysburg.

Students of history will recall that preceding Lincoln's Gettysburg Address delivered on November 19, 1863, distinguished politician and orator of the day, Edward Everett, spoke for two hours. Lincoln thought his short speech was not a worthy tribute, but the words continue to ring throughout our history:

The final paragraph:

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate - we can not consecrate - we can not hallow - this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us - that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion - that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain - that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom - and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.