by Joanne Wiklund
Memorial Day. Brings back memories as a young girl standing on the sidewalk on a Saturday morning in front of the Port Byron bank selling red paper poppies in memory of World War II military. It was a busy place, people almost all bought them. The farmers hooked them up right away on the shoulder straps of their bib overalls. Many of them were veterans themselves.
When I sat down to write this, I counted people in my family alone who were in the military, all different services. I lost track of some and didn’t want to miss anyone, so I counted generations of service. Six generations of my extended family, including hubby, son, brothers, my brother in-law, uncles, and nephews were all involved. Brother Jim served in the heaviest battles in Vietnam. Once a Marine, always a Marine. He came home and helped widows with business details when they lost their husbands. A compassionate guy.
The flags are flying, the colors are there. But one memorial is so important to us all. We need to remember what Christian service has done for this country. People are dying all around the world for the right to stand up and say, “I love Jesus and Jesus loves me.” The blood He shed for us all honors those who have stood for truth and honor in our country and our dealings with others in the world. May it soon be so again.
Matthew 1:21 “She shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”
John 3:24 “Verily, verily, I say unto you He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.”
Romans 15:13 “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.