With the arrival of Memorial Day on Monday, we unofficially enter the summer vacation season. Even though summer doesn’t technically begin until later in June, this is the holiday that gets the grills cleaned off and brings the deck furniture out.
What we must not forget are those for whom this observance was established. This holiday is a time to remember and honor all those who have died in military service.
This patriotic and somber remembrance began sometime following the Civil War to honor those who had perished. Because over 618,000 soldiers died in service to their country, federal cemeteries were created to bury the large numbers of deceased servicemen.
Family members began visiting these sites and laid wreaths and other spring flowers to honor their loved ones. Because they adorned their graves, Memorial Day was known as Decoration Day for many years.
Sadly, hundreds of thousands of additional graves have since been filled with men and women who have fallen in numerous wars including WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, and others. Because we are all indebted to the sacrifices they have made for us, we should each remember and honor their heroism and service.
In his book, Shenandoah County and Its Courthouse, author Fred Painter discusses local events that occurred before, during, and after the Civil War and its enormous impact on our valley. Several local families lost sons in battle who were buried here and elsewhere.
In another chapter, Painter lists several immigrants that moved to Shenandoah County from other countries. Although a few immigration dates are listed for those who came after the Civil War, most he includes came before.
Many individuals arrived from Germany, England, Switzerland, Ireland, Austria, Prussia and several from Hesse-Cassel which is now part of Germany. Many of their surnames are still common in our local phone books. Some of these and their children were later caught up in the War Between the States and perished on the battlefields.
What I found particularly interesting about these entries were a few that stipulated explicitly that the immigrants would, “renounce forever all allegiance and fidelity to every other foreign Prince Potentate state or sovereignty whatever and particularly…” the homeland from which they came and its ruler.
Still today, the US oath all naturalized citizens must swear includes similar wording. All incoming citizens then and now are expected to abandon and relinquish all ties to their previous homelands and be true and faithful to these United States.
This should also be the case for all who follow Jesus. When we put our faith and trust in Him, we are to forever forsake our former allegiances that we might follow Him without hesitation or reservation. Jesus Himself said in Luke 9:23, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
Denying ourselves means turning our backs on our former ways. It means renouncing all of our sinful and selfish behaviors in order to be fully devoted to our new Sovereign. We are to leave behind our previous habits, lifestyles, and allegiances. Jesus must be Lord of all or He is not Lord at all.
Even more significantly is Jesus’ assertion that a cross is involved for those who follow Him. Crosses are instruments of execution. Because of our fidelity to Jesus and His ways, we become targeted by our former king who would desire nothing more than to take us out. Over the 2,000 years since Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, many of His followers have been martyred in His service and many others have suffered loss because of their faithfulness to Him and His Kingdom.
As we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms, let us also remember those who have given their lives for Jesus and be ready to do the same, renouncing all our past allegiances and clinging only to Him.
Remembering, George