Memorial Day

 

By Mac McFarland

May 2001

 

 

In the year of 1868, long before we were born,

A trend was started, in a time that was, oh, so forlorn.

General John A. Logan was Commander-In-Chief that year.

And made a declaration to remember the fallen, both far and near.

 

He gave an order concerning the graves of the women and men,

Those brave souls that had gone to war, way back then.

Those that died amid the agony and crying of pitiful sounds,..

The order read, “Let no wanton foot tread rudely on such hallowed grounds.”

 

Every May since that time, we have taken a moment to reflect,

Upon the past souls of those that so much deserve our respect.

Dying for a country has been one’s ultimate sacrifice for sure.

Giving up your life, even though loved ones find it so hard to endure.

 

This Memorial Day, let’s look at an additional sacrifice,

That gave all of us, the hope of a future paradise.

Jesus of Nazareth, whom Mary had borne as a baby boy,

Rode into Jerusalem amid shouts of cheers and joy.

 

The promise of peace, he talked of in valleys and on knolls,

Not peace among warring nations, but peace in our very souls.

When we remember the mocking and jeering of the agitated mobs,

It should bring to our hearts, many tears and heartfelt sobs.

 

Jesus had never committed even one little sin or wrongdoing,

Yet was found guilty by Pilate, while the crowd kept on booing.

He was mocked as a King, spit at and slapped in the face,

The terrible lashing and beating he took, was the ultimate disgrace.

 

A word in his defense, he was never heard to utter or say,

But instead carried his cross, until he fell along the way.

Laid down, and then unmercifully nailed to the cross,

Even in his torment, he remembered who was boss.

 

So it was, that he hung there between two common thieves,

Gasping for air as his chest heaves and heaves.

His love for those who did this to him never diminished

Even when Jesus uttered with his last breath, “It is Finished.”

 

Memorial Day has been set aside every 30th of May,

To remember the lives of those that were taken away.

While we recall the men and women that have died,

At the same time, recall our Savior, who was crucified.

 

America is free, because soldiers’ blood was poured,

And because of them, we are free to worship our Lord.

The blood of Jesus however, frees us to live again,

When WE die, we will join him where he has been.

 

So at the end of May, let’s look back 2000 years,

When ONE man died to wipe away ALL our fears.

Don’t forget our military heroes that have taken the great fall,

But also, remember the one that gave us, the most precious gift of all.