Memorial Day: My Favorite Holiday

Why is Memorial Day my favorite holiday?

Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love and cherish the two great High Holidays that we, as Christians, take the time to celebrate; the birth and the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. There can be no other days that compare to these, for they show us how much God truly loves us, in that He gave His only Son to die for us while we were still sinners. There is no way to ever fully comprehend His love for us, until we finally look upon Him face to face.

While I love these days beyond compare, I realize that many throughout the world do not have the freedom to celebrate these days openly. We have a great freedom in this country to do just that. This freedom we enjoy, much like the freedom that comes through accepting Jesus as our savior, was secured at a great cost.

I had the privilege to serve in the US Army for 12 years. While doing so, I, like all with me, had to memorize the Code of Conduct . This code dictates the way I am do obey orders and carry myself as an American soldier. The first code states, “I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces that guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.” There are many who willingly made that pledge who, like me, were never called upon to lay their lives down. Unfortunately, many were. Their sacrifices paid for our freedoms. Memorial Day is when we specifically take time to remember the fallen – those that paid the price.

Why is Memorial Day is my favorite holiday? Because it secured my freedom to openly celebrate all the other holidays. Please take time this Memorial Day to remember and honor those whose blood bought your freedom. While we always feel honored when someone says thank you, this is not the day for veterans; this day is for those who made the ultimate sacrifice.