Memorial Day 2011

Memorial Day is a time to take stock of the present, reflect on the past, and renew our commitment to the future of America. Today, as in the past, there are problems that must be solved and challenges that must be met. We can tackle them with our full strength and creativity only because we are free. We owe this freedom to our Creator and to those men and women in uniform who have served this nation in time of need. In particular, we are forever indebted to those who have given their lives that we might be free. I don't have to tell you how fragile this precious gift of freedom is. Every time we hear, watch, or read the news, we are reminded that liberty is a rare commodity in this world. (Notes from Ronald Regan)

This Memorial Day, we honor those brave Americans who died in the service of their country. "Their bodies are buried in peace; but their names live for evermore.'' Scripture, when speaking for the faithful, says, what could be written upon the epitaph of every dead soldier: "Of whom the world was not worthy" (Heb. 12:38). As a tribute to their sacrifice, let us renew our resolve to remain strong enough to deter aggression, wise enough to preserve and protect our freedom, and thoughtful enough to promote lasting peace throughout the world.

May I humbly offer these fundamental items that we as Americans need to remember today:

• We have a strong national identity: We are a Christian nation!
• We need to maintain a strong national security: God's providential care!
• We possess a strong national ethic: God's Holy Writ
• We must maintain strong national heroes: George Washington/Seal Team 6
• We must maintain strong national villains: Hitler/Osama Bin Laden
• We need to maintain strong national memorials: Today is about remembering!

So I want to thank you for this important remembrance. With gratitude and respect, we remember their sacrifice. As Jesus Himself said, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13).

May God Bless You... And God Bless America!

These are my notes from the Purdy Cemetery Memorial Service for our fallen heroes (May 30. 2011).