Memorial Day is one I always remember - the ones from my childhood days: the parades, the Veterans waving to the crowds, the American flags and the family cookouts.
I never knew anyone directly in any of the wars. I was a very young child during the Vietnam War – and I distinctly remember being frightened.
I always asked my parents, “Are they coming for us, too?”
My mother always reassured me I had nothing to worry about.
Then sometime during my high school years – the draft was reinstated. I was terrified.
When I arrived at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York in the late summer of 1981 – the first thing I had to do was go to the post office and “sign up.”
At 43, I’m an “old man” and exempt from any draft – but my little son, when he comes of age -- if there is another draft -- he won’t be exempt.
Today my wife Irene, my mother-in-law, our children and I went to the cemetery to visit “Jadek’s” grave. I probably spelled it wrong, but the name means “grandpa” in Polish.
My mother-in-law was 20 years younger than her husband. She loved him and never remarried.
My father-in-law (who I never knew) died when Irene was only 12 years old. Irene was outside with him in the yard playing while he was cutting the grass. Her father had a massive heart attack and died in front of her. She called 911 and the paramedics came immediately.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
“Yanek”, or John (in English) was his name. He was a cook in the U.S. military. He served in World War II. He came to the United States for a better life and fought for America. After the war, he opened a small luncheonette with one of his Polish buddies and then worked at Avco Lycoming, making engine parts for the U.S. Army.
"Steve, you come to cemetery to see you father-in-law. He gave you Irene! Come on now," said Mama.
When we got there, we saw many headstones of Vets who died in numerous wars. I and the children were astonished.
I also visited Arlington National Cemetery when I was in the Boy Scouts back in 1976. The sight of headstones for miles and miles was seared into my mind forever.
"Daddy, so many people died!" said my little girl.
Yes. Many paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom – for us and future generations to pursue, to live and to enjoy the “American Dream” – in peace.
This Memorial Day weekend, we had our traditional cookout. Both Irene and I worked outside doing yard work (I dug holes and planted 22 trees from Home Depot). We put up the kid’s blowup pool and had the kids’ friends here all weekend long.
As much fun as we were all having working, playing or simply relaxing, one couldn’t stop thinking about our troops all over the world. As a family and church, we prayed for them and thanked God for them. We cherish ALL of our troops all around the world.
And then I thought about our soldiers in Iraq.
What a tragic mess.
I respect our President, pray for him and obey those in authority over me as the Word of God says. I also firmly believe in Romans 8:28.
Yet in my inner man, my heart aches.
While I support our troops wholeheartedly and pray for their safety, and pray for their families – I want them home.
I want our men and women home NOW. Whether we are in Iraq or not (personally, I feel we’ve been there WAY too long), many of these Iraqi people are barbaric. That is a fact anyone can see on any news broadcast for themselves.
Many blow themselves up, hoping to take out as many as possible -- not even caring if they are their own innocent children or women – all in hopes of moving on to “heaven” for a bunch of fairytale virgins waiting to have endless sex.
I know we are in a Catch 22 situation about pulling our troops out of Iraq, IF that can happen, when that could happen and what – if any – consequences would follow.
Who knows what the future holds... except the Lord, our God -- and in Him ALONE do I put my faith, as well as this grievous situation.
I pray not ONE MORE human being dies. I pray this war would just END. I pray there would be peace. I pray that our men and women serving all over the world would be able to come home and enjoy a Memorial Day weekend with their families -- like I enjoyed with mine.
I pray this culture and world that loves DEATH -- would come to love and serve the one, true God that created each and every one of them for HIS glory - the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - the God who stepped down from heaven's throne, to die on the cross for you and me -- Jesus Christ.
One day, there will be peace – REAL PEACE – when our RISEN King - Jesus Christ returns.
Dear Lord, we -- THIS WORLD needs you now more than ever.
Come, Lord Jesus --- come! ~ S.Bennett
Comments may be sent via e-mail to: SBMigroops@SBMinistries.org.