Reflect
Once a year we set aside a day to honor those who have sacrificed their lives as part of their military service. We honor those who died in combat but we should also honor those whose minds and spirits were so broken by war that they took their lives. Many veterans take offense when someone says “Happy Memorial Day”. For them it is a day of sad remembrance, not a day of celebration. It is a day for grieving.
Pray
Lord, this Memorial Day
let me pause and pray
for the families of those
who died in combat
or took their lives
because of combat.
Grant them comfort
and the knowledge
that their loved ones
are at peace in a place
where there is no more war.
Act
If you know any veterans, rather than wishing them a happy Memorial Day, give them the gift of listening if they wish to speak of their lost comrades.
2 thoughts on “A Day of Honor”
A perfect reminder.
Thank You!
I guess there can be a variety of reasons why a person would commit suicide. Guilt may be one reason. But why should a person feel so guilty that they would want to commit suicide? Despair may be another reason? But what are they despairing about? Anger may be another reason? But what are they angry about? Confusion may be another reason? But why are they confused? Surely, no one would commit suicide over pain, would they? Since for some people, there comes a point when a person is beyond pain. Then what? So, I have all these questions and no adequate answers, sorry. Another question I have is what happens to their soul after they die? Did they really reject God? Only God knows the answer to that one. As Pope Francis I said, we don’t even know if Judas went to hell. It’s not for us to know.