A call to remember

  • Published
  • By Chaplain (Maj.) Olga Westfall
  • 94th Airlift Wing Chaplain Office
DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE. Ga. --  With Memorial Day approaching, what do you think of? The beginning of summer vacation, sales at department stores, barbecues in the back yard, outside projects or family get-togethers? Sadly, many people forgot the true meaning of the Memorial Day.

I believe it's important to consider what Memorial Day really represents, for its very name calls us to remember. This day is set aside to remember those who have fallen in our nation's wars. Remembering does many things. It brings us back to the reality of what happened in the past. It also encourages us to recognize the dedication of those who fought and died.

Remembering stirs within us a sense of gratitude and appreciation, and it strengthens our decision to do our part in serving God, country and others. As Memorial Day approaches, let us remember the brave men and women in the uniform who have so unselfishly given of themselves for us. While each fallen service member has a unique story, each one of them is a hero who willingly laid down his or her life for a greater cause.

Our country is home to the American dream. It's the land of opportunity. I became a U.S. citizen through Naturalization. I remember a day in 2004 when I went to the office of U.S. Citizenship Immigration Services and with other members of various branches of the U.S. military and different countries of the world, raised my right hand and proudly recited a Naturalization Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America.

In this oath and other military oaths we recite when joining the uniformed service we say these words, "I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same."
When our nation calls we are expected to even lay our lives defending and protecting it.

During this Memorial Day I want to challenge you to remember the dedication to duty and to our country of thousands upon thousands of our men and women in the uniform who paid the ultimate sacrifices, their life, so that we could continue to enjoy our lives and the freedom that we take for granted every day. In Holy Scriptures, in John 15:13 it says: "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."
So I call you to remember. The ability to remember is a wonderful gift God has given us. In a flash we can be a child again, skipping rocks across a pond, or walking in a meadow. Through memory we can fall in love, get married, and enjoy our children all over again. All this is possible through the blessing of memory.
Some of our memories are happy as we recall wonderful experiences. But some are sad, and we may cry as we remember them. It is important to remember that God Himself remembers!

I can rejoice because He never forgets His plan and He never forsakes His promises. Even when life is tough and things don't seem to make sense to me, I can rest assured that He is in control and He is working out His plan. He has my best interest at heart. Knowing this encourages and strengthens me, and pushes me to do my best to live for Him.

Memorial Day Prayer: Father in heaven, we remember and give thanks for those who have cherished freedom, liberty and love for their country more than life. As we recall with thanksgiving, the Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen who have lost their lives in service to our great country, let us rededicate our lives to the ideals for which they paid the supreme price. Their legacy is our birthright and our responsibility. Help us so to perform the mission placed in our hands that generations yet unborn will continue to enjoy the freedom we hold dear. Grant us skill, dedication, and courage for the daily tasks of maintaining the bright torch of liberty. By your grace and by your power, let us mount up as eagles - run and not grow weary - walk and not faint - that our land may ever exist in peace and security. In your holy name we pray. Amen.

* Chaplain services are held each Sunday of the Unit Training Assembly at 7:15 a.m. at building 838 in Heritage Hall, and 8 a.m. at the 80th Aerial Port Squadron. Chaplains are also available for pastoral counseling during the UTA at 678-655-4459.