Joey and Carla Link
May 24, 2023
The first part of this blog is written by Pastor Mike Glenn of Brentwood Baptist Church in Brentwood, TN. It was a great introduction to give parents practical application to teach your kids about Memorial Day.
When soldiers were preparing to land on the Normandy beaches on D-Day, their officers told them, “When you’re hit, fall on the barbed wire.” Not “if” you get hit, but “when.”
Because the D-Day invasions were so dangerous, officers assumed the casualty rate would be astronomical. Soldiers were going to die and there wasn’t anything anyone could do about that. So, if you’re going to get wounded or killed running onto the beach, the least a soldier could do was fall across the barbed wire and take out the fence. That way, the soldier following you could step on you and keep moving to capture the beachhead.
Every generation has the responsibility of making the world better for the generations who follow them. In the United States, we have benefited greatly from those generations who have gone before us. The “Greatest Generation” won world wars, built great economies, and established the most powerful nation in the history of the world.
Now, what do we owe those who have gone before us and those who will come after us?
A lot of sacrifices have been made to make our lives possible. How do we live our lives so no one regrets the sacrifices they have made for us? How do we live so the next generation enjoys all of the freedom and promises of our nation?
My guess is if all those who were involved in the American Revolution, the Civil War,
World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan could say anything to those of us celebrating our country’s freedom this day, they would all say the same thing:
“Remember. Don’t forget the sacrifice that was made for you. And don’t neglect the sacrifice that may one day be required of you.”
Are you teaching your kids about the sacrifice that was made by others for them?
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!”
Psalm 33:12