There are times when mind and heart are together stirred and we find ourselves in a moment that is and isn't now, with people who, though gone, are with us always. It is a matter of remembering, isn't it? But it's more than that. There is something holy in such moments, something eternal.
Innately, we realize the importance of allowing ourselves opportunities to lift both memories and prayers before God, and so we consecrate special, shared times for such holy remembering. For our nation, this weekend is such a time.
Memorial Day began in the shadow of the Civil War. The struggle was over, but the grief was fresh. The nation was counting its awful losses, and there was no family, and certainly no community, untouched by death. The day was first widely observed on May 30, 1868, and was known as Decoration Day. The intention was to decorate the graves of the Civil War dead, and it was instituted by the proclamation of General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former sailors and soldiers. His Order No. 11 proclaimed:
The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers and otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit. (www.history.com)
On that first Decoration Day at Arlington National Cemetery, General (and future president) James Garfield spoke, and some 5,000 participants decorated the graves of more than 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried there. We are painfully aware, of course, that since that first Decoration Day, thousands more have been cut down by war. We are conscious also of the many who stand in harm's way even now and of the threats that cloud our days. And so, again this year, volunteers and families will gather in cemeteries, and communities and churches will pause for moments of holy remembering.
Here at HMUMC, we will mark this national holiday with prayer. We remember with holy remembering those who made the supreme sacrifice for their country; we remember the families who grieve even now; and we pray for the peace of God that will bring an end to all war. Also this Sunday, our Military Support Group and Boy Scouts will distribute red poppies in exchange for donations. The funds raised will provide needed supplies for the Northeast Georgia Homeless Veterans Shelter in Winder. We remember those who perished by offering help and hope to their comrades even now.
