A Spiritual Fitness message
from the ROA National Chaplain
Greetings,
Americans are still searching for ways to return to a sense of normalcy in celebrating special days both personal and national ones. Celebration and social events have always been a vital part of the American way of life, they have never been restrictive in my generation as in this present health threat. Given our spirit and ideals embedded in our founding documents, celebration of sorts will happen. America is unique and special in numerous ways because of how we treat our heroes and others who have impacted our lives. That was, and is, the purpose of Memorial Day.
I just spent some time in Chattanooga, Tennessee at the Medal of Honor Heritage Center. It is relatively new and If you are not familiar with the Medal of Honor ideals and purposes, they are worth your research (MOHHC.ORG). The six principles endorsed by the group are very stirring, aiding greatly in distinguishing between patriotism and nationalism.
Those six are: patriotism, citizenship, courage, integrity, sacrifice, and commitment. The Medal honors those for whose actions and commitments saved lives on the battlefield of war.
As I have been reflecting upon my past and those who have gone on before me, I have a tremendous heritage to affirm and from which to examine. I must learn from my past, for if I do not then I am certainly running the risk of making the same errors they did as I discover strengths, weaknesses, and sacrifice that I may have the life I now live-in freedom and opportunity.
You see, my early days were quite limited but by some amazing inner drive, I wanted to do even better than those before me. I benefited from both their strengths as well as their weaknesses but that decision point was for me to choose. As I studied more of what I thought was dull history, something challenging was happening inside. There came a day when I had to choose what I wanted to do with my life—and it contained some patterns I knew had to be broken. Tough, yes but inspired by others, I pushed forward and through some very restrictive barriers. God was good because I did look to Him for all He could do to help.
I am grateful for those who have gone before me because of a word in our Founding Documents. That word is “inalienable”. For me that word was important as it became something more than simply repetition. Soon, it became a part of my inner being. Inalienable meant something could not be taken away from me by anyone else nor any government or agency. This was so because what it represented came from God to me in such as living in freedom, following after happiness and opportunity to be and do better, having as much equal opportunity as the next person not to do as I well-please in greed nor envy but to function as I morally should with respect and consideration of others. To live in a place where laws were based upon those same “inalienable” rights with personal responsibility and dignity. For me to honor and remember men and women who sacrificed their future serving their country is something I can do with a deep sense of gratitude and respect. Now, at reaching 80 years of age in just a few days, I realize more than ever the sacrificing of dreams, treasures, and lives for “inalienable” rights, ideals for me by others. I am not an island.
I am called to “remember” those who died, as well as lived faithfully, in military service. Second, for me to recommit to the conviction that those who lived or died did not do so in vain but their ideals are still moving forward. The price for Memorial Day is very expensive and those whom we honor, humbly remember and acknowledge, were willing to place a placard in the front yard of their lives that they were “Not for Sale at Any Price.”
A prayer from the Book of Common Prayer: Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, in whose hands are the living and the dead; We give You thanks for all those Your servants who have laid down their lives in the service of our country. Grant to them Your mercy and the light of Your presence, that the good work which You have begun in them may be perfected.