Memorial Day 2008

This weekend we honor the fallen heroes of our nation - the men and women of valor and honor who gave the ultimate sacrifice fighting for and defending us all.  As is our tradition on Memorial Day here on our blog, we not only wish to honor and remember them but also to evaluate our own lives in light of their ultimate sacrifice.

This concept was best illustrated in my favorite film of all time, Saving Private Ryan, in the scene at the very beginning and the very end of the movie when Captain Miller (played by Tom Hanks) lies mortally wounded in Private Ryan's arms (played by Matt Damon) and Ryan is thanking him for saving his life to which Miller responds, "Earn this..."  It was a huge challenge for anyone to live up to as we later see Private Ryan as an eighty year old veteran kneeling by his captain's grave weeping and telling his fallen leader that he did his best to live a life that honored his sacrifice.  This is the challenge we take up and evaluate on Memorial Day and we hope you consider it as well. 

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."  - John 15:13