Remembering Those Who Served & Sacrificed

Word-Of-The-Day: ‘Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.’ (John 15:13)

I always try to remember, at this time of year as we approach Memorial Day, those who I knew in the past who have passed away.  As I get older, obviously, more folks pass along into Eternity.  The old joke of weddings being more for the young (the aunts teasing their young nephew, ‘Your next!’) and then somewhere the switch is thrown and then the funerals and celebrations of life become prevalent (and the nephew turns the tables on his aunts, ‘Your next!’).  I’ve never really been afraid of death, though as my parents and in-laws have gone those were sad, somber moments and I do miss them. 

As time passes, of course, the sadness is greatly muted, but sometimes a passing thought will turn into reflection and a brief ‘if I could only one more time’ moment before realizing the folly of such a thought, putting it away for another time, and moving forward.  I don’t often follow up with folks from my past as the Army and later as a contractor for the military people come and go as their assignments place them in your path, and as quickly take them away. 

For me personally, it is almost necessary to have folks in front of me in order to think of them.  Some I have maintained contact with, though our contacts are often spaced out in months (usually for holidays or birthdays).

But on Memorial Day, I usually think of those who served, like my uncles who served in the Navy during World War II, or my father-in-law, who served in the Marines during the Korean War.  Pennsylvania was home to many who served in conflict, and there were a few who never made it back home.  My mother’s cousin was lost at sea in the Pacific when his submarine went down during a battle. 

Those that did make it home, like my uncles, carried the mental scars with them and some, like my uncle Ralph, who was a Navy sailor piloting a landing craft full of Marines, whose vessel got stuck on Tarawa and had to hit the beach with the Marines, was one of many who drank and smoke heavily after returning home, but also kept his interest in radio communications piqued by being a ham radio enthusiast as a civilian hobby.

Then there are a few who I was privileged to work with who served, in Vietnam, the Gulf War (Desert Storm), and then the Global War on Terror in Iraq and Afghanistan (Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, respectively).  Everyone fortunately made it home, though some have PTSD from ‘Vehicle-based improvised Explosive Devices’ or VBIEDs, or being fired at either by mortars or firearms. 

One person who I was acquainted with was Navy Lieutenant Commander Vince Tolbert, who I knew from US Central Command prior to 9/11.  Like many, he was reassigned to the Pentagon a couple months before 11 September 2001, and unfortunately was in the section that was hit by the plane that flew into the Pentagon that fateful morning.  He remains the only person that I worked with who was killed in a direct confrontation.

On a broader perspective, my neighbor is a retired police officer, and there are of course those who I know who have served previously or are serving as officers.  I am thankful that they, also with those who I served with in the military – with the exception of LtCdr Tolbert, all survived or continue to survive.  Nevertheless, for me, Memorial Day serves as that reminder of those who served, those who have passed, and those, included the one, who passed in performing their service to our nation.

We think of this verse annually on Memorial Day, or when we hear of a first responder or military member is killed while performing their duties.  Jesus told this verse to His Apostles at the Last Supper; to let them know how much He loved them – and us.  His sacrifice on the cross was not to be seen in the darkness of loss but in the light of His love. 

Not all sacrifices one gives may be up to the loss of life; sometimes it’s giving to someone to the point of where one must do without to help another; one may modify their life or their lifestyle, to aid another.  It may be a child who moves home to help elderly parents, or a parent giving money they set aside to take care of their own personal need, and give it up for a friend’s or child’s needs. 

Jesus’ examples of sacrifice should be seen both individually and holistically; His death on the cross, His willingness to leave Heaven to live with us on Earth, taking His time to go heal and talk to others.   Jesus’ entire life was one of sacrifice that He did not have to do, but did anyway for the good of others.

Not all sacrifices are heroic, and not all sacrifices are the loss of one’s life.  All sacrifices are life-altering, however little.  Give of yourself to someone else, whether it be your time, treasure, or talents.  It is the best expression of love you can give.