When we lived within a half hour's drive of 5 different military bases, the active duty guys were always keen to remind me that Memorial Day is a time to remember those in the military who died serving their country. Many confuse this with Veterans' Day, a holiday to commemorate all those who have served. It is akin to the difference between thanking Jesus for dying on the cross, and being grateful for Christian martyrs who kept the faith and died by lions in the arena. Jesus gave, and these honored dead of our country gave, the last full measure of their devotion.
It's a good analogy, though all analogies break down somewhere. Those we honor were not perfect and did not make a sacrifice to atone for anyone, nor did they establish a perfect nation. Often we cannot see the direct effect their death had in the conflict in which they fought, while Jesus' death was efficacious. He died to make men holy, so let us do what we can and live to make men free.
Memorial Day always has a small home town feel for me. We had a small parade to the cemetery where the roll call of those buried there who served and died would be read. Taps and silence. A short sermon by a local pastor. Several of the names in the roll call were direct ancestors of mine, or my wife's. It brings to mind the sacrifices great and small made by our forefathers. We stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before us. Some were spiritual giants. Some performed acts of amazing courage. Some simply kept plodding along, doing their duty. Let us thank God for them this weekend.
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