Decoration Day

Memorial Day or Decoration Day as Grammy called it, 

is a day to honor the U.S. military personnel who have died while serving in a war. 

I remember, as a young person, helping Grammy snip peonies and irises. 
Then we wrapped a glass jar in aluminum foil, filled it with water, and added the flowers. We placed the simple remembrance at the graves of my grandpa,
great-grandma, and my great-uncle, Walter Smith.
Walter died during the Great Influenza epidemic in 1918,
while he served at a camp in Chillicothe, during WW 1. 

I don't visit the graves anymore, but I want to offer honor and thanks
to those who have served our country and lost their lives for our freedom.
Thank you to the families who have lost loved ones to war. May God bless you.

Remember

Today—remember the many men and women 

who died in service.

 

Today—pray for the families and friends who have 

lost loved ones in the fight.

 

Today—appreciate the freedom our soldiers protect. 

 

The Last Breath

"Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it. It flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it."

My Great-Uncle Walter

I am posting this in honor of my great-uncle Walter Leo Smith, who died during WW 1; while serving our country. I never met him, but my grandmother told me his story. Many of the soldiers who served during World War 1 were exposed to the 1918 influenza epidemic. And that included Uncle Walter. Grandma remembered going to the camp in Chillicothe, Ohio where he was in a medical unit being treated. Unfortunately, he died from the virus. Several of the men serving succumbed to this terrible disease. Not only do our soldiers die in battle, many are taken due to illness and environment. Regardless, they are dying for our freedom. God bless those who have lost loved ones in service. 

They Will Walk and not be Faint

Isaiah 40:31
...but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

When I worked in an elementary school library, I met a lot of children. Fortunately for me, my path has crossed with many of them over the years. I enjoy learning who they've become as adults. I've even had a few of them work for me at the college library. Today my story is about one little girl. As clear as day, I still see her sweet face peeking at me over my desk as she waited to check out a book. She had a beautiful smile with a hint of shyness. My husband delivered bottled water to her family, and he'd told me a little bit about them. "Good people," he said.

Hannah attended our school for a while, but eventually moved to a different district. But the Lord had plans for our paths to cross. We met up again at church, where I got to know her family. Though our journeys have taken us different directions again, I still keep in touch with her folks. The other day, her dad posted Hannah's photo on Facebook. In the picture, she's wearing glasses, her hair is pulled back, her cap pulled down and she's carrying a huge pack. But under it all is the sweet, shy girl I remember. And that sweet girl is all grown up and going through basic training as she prepares to serve her country. I'm thankful we have people like Hannah, who love God and the USA. God has blessed me just by knowing her.

This Memorial Day, I say a prayer of thanks for the men and women who gave their all for our freedom. I also ask you to pray with me for those who are fighting the fight. I pray the words of Isaiah and ask that "They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."