This week I received an e-mail encouraging me to observe Memorial Day by remembering the "cost of freedom". Immediately I reacted to this description of the intent of what began as "Decoration Day"
The first official Decoration Day happened right after the U. S. Civil War. Arlington Cemetery had opened and was the burial sight of thousands of fatalities from both the Union and Confederate sides of that conflict. It was representative of many sights, throughout the country, where the fallen had found their final rest. The original intent of Decoration Day was to remember where the fallen (of both north and south side-by-side) were to be found, and to never forget "the cost of war".
It is sad that today there is little distinction between Veteran's Day and Memorial Day. Both have been spun by the military to glorify the warrior; obscuring the reality that the graves of brothers fighting brothers decry the horror of war not the glory of it.
And as for the Christian, because the cost of our freedom is found only in the cross of Christ; may we always remember that "if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed".
