In Memory... Janes Sunday Sermon On Monday

Today is Memorial Day so I saved my Sunday Sermon for today.

Today, in the States, It is Memorial Day. We take time to remember our fallen warriors who have served in our armed forces.

On this day, in particular, I think of my Dad who was a World War II vet.

He did not die in the War. He died one week after 9/11 at the age of 82. I think he died of a broken heart after witnessing 9.11.

I still have one of his uniforms hanging in my closet, a gift from my Mom.

My dad was a short man-only 5'10 inches and skinny as a string bean when he served in the Army as a first lieutenant. He was short and skinny but he packed a wallop and was funny as a fit.

He trained other officers stateside and had a way of charming the mess chefs out of their best steaks and getting them to his men.

He could charm the pants off anyone as my Mom is fond of reminding me. She did not fare  well being an Army wife. She has described to me life in, I think it was Mississippi or Louisiana or some very hot state with horrid army housing, where my Dad was training and making off with the steaks. Mom could not wait to get back to New York, steaks not withstanding.

Almost every family in the States knows someone who has served our country either in the past or as we speak and today it is incumbent upon all of us as we gather with family and friends to remind ourselves that there are young men and young women putting their lives on the line every day and for some that life will end on the battle field.

In between the hot dogs and the hamburgers I will ponder why it is always the old men who send our young ones into war. Sometimes with good cause but many times not.

They go anyway eager to serve a country who does not always remember them when they come home or serve them nearly as well as they serve us.

Perhaps if the old men led the young ones into battle themselves, as was common throughout history, we would have fewer wars and less dead to remember on this day.

If you know a vet, shake their hand today. If you have a family member who is serving in the armed forces or who has served in the past, take a few minutes to remember how much they give to this country.

If you have a mother or father who has served, hang their uniform in your closet and let it be forever a reminder of the full measure of these men and women who keep us safe and free.

Have a thoughtful Memorial day.

Go get um
Jane

Jane Mark
Sokule Inc
https://sokule.com