A day worth remembering

Today is Memorial Day. Originally started as an event to honor Union soldiers who had died during the Civil War, the day was expanded after World War I to include all men and women who died in any war or military action. Memorial Day has grown to one of the more busy holidays of our year and much of its original intent has been lost. These brave men and women have given their lives for liberties that are being taken away and it some cases given up. I want you to remember that the freedom we enjoy was bought and paid for by someone who is no longer with us. They left their families, their dreams and their future to sacrifice so we could enjoy our families, pursue our dreams, and have a future.

Jesus left all behind him to come and sacrifice his life so that we can have a future with him. Without the shed blood of Jesus, we could have no remission or forgiveness of our sins. We live in the greatest nation in the world and it is because great people were willing to go and give their lives for us. Jesus recognized that dying in our sins would lead us to an eternity in hell. He was willing to shed his blood, give his life, and rise again so that we could be free if we accept the salvation he offers. It would seem that for the liberty we enjoy, there has always been a sacrifice made. I want to leave you with Logan’s General Order No. 11; issued on May 5, 1868. Enjoy your coffee.

Love you all,
Pastor Gary
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1. The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet church-yard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.

We are organized, comrades, as our regulations tell us, for the purpose among other things, “of preserving and strengthening those kind and fraternal feelings which have bound together the soldiers, sailors, and marines who united to suppress the late rebellion.” What can aid more to assure this result than cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead, who made their breasts a barricade between our country and its foes? Their soldier lives were the reveille of freedom to a race in chains, and their deaths the tattoo of rebellious tyranny in arms. We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the nation can add to their adornment and security is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let no wanton foot tread rudely on such hallowed grounds. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.

If other eyes grow dull, other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain to us.

Let us, then, at the time appointed gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with the choicest flowers of spring-time; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from hishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upon a nation’s gratitude, the soldier’s and sailor’s widow and orphan.

2. It is the purpose of the Commander-in-Chief to inaugurate this observance with the hope that it will be kept up from year to year, while a survivor of the war remains to honor the memory of his departed comrades. He earnestly desires the public press to lend its friendly aid in bringing to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance therewith.

3. Department commanders will use efforts to make this order effective.

By order of
JOHN A. LOGAN,
Commander-in-Chief

N.P. CHIPMAN,
Adjutant General

Official:
WM. T. COLLINS, A.A.G.