Memorial Day, 2008

My husband and I attended part of the Memorial Day service at the DFW National Cemetery (http://www.cem.va.gov/CEMs/nchp/dallasftworth.asp). Because I’m not very heat tolerant, sitting outside in the sunshine for an hour or so was not an option, but we were able to observe the moving “missing man formation” by the fighter planes, and spent some time in silence at the gravesides of Keith’s aunt and father, both WWII veterans, and both buried there.

The immaculately kept cemetery, located in the hilly area in southern Dallas, was filled people, buses, cars. It was good to see that many eager to honor those to whom we owe so much.

We are a fortunate people, and too often treat our privileged way of life without the respect and awe it deserves. We complain about minuscule things, like the price of gasoline, and the housing crisis probably primarily caused by the greedy few. In those complaints, we often neglect to honor the freedom that may lead to those problems, but also leads to creative solutions to them, solutions that very well may leave the world better than it is now.

Sunday morning prayers in liturgical churches almost always contain a phrase that pleads to God for those in power, that they may use that power to free the oppressed and bring peace. This would be a prayer that would be well offered daily, not just weekly, and especially for a country like ours. We don’t have the best track record here, but we do try. It’s a place to start.