Memorial Day: 31 May 2010

Just the other night we were looking through some old U.S. coins - some dating from 1903 and the 1920's - and I could not help but notice the familiar words on each and every coin: "In God We Trust". And I wondered just how often we stop to think of those words as we hand over our money to various cashiers while shopping. Probably not often, maybe not ever.
This nation was founded in part on that trust in God. A great many of the people who immigrated to this country at its beginning did so because their religious faith and/or beliefs were being suppressed or condemned in their country of origin. These ancestors of ours were not only seeking a new life for themselves in a new land, but also for the freedom to openly practice their faith.

Memorial Day - this is the day dedicated to the remembrance of all who served to defend and protect the very freedom all of us in this country are fortunate enough to have. We remember those who died in service during WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan... We remember those who served in foreign lands, Europe, Guam, Philippines, Korea and other countries during times of peace and died in later years. We remember all the men and women who are currently serving both here at home and abroad. And we should be grateful for all our veterans and current service people's dedication to protect our freedom not only on this national holiday but each and every day.

Yes, we owe a debt of gratitude to all those brave women and men. We also owe a debt of gratitude to those who were the first to proudly and rightly imprint on our coins the words "In God We Trust". Yes, the same God who surrounds us every moment of every day.

Peace on the Journey