Reflection – Memorial Day 2018
The Cambridge American Cemetery in England is indeed hallowed ground. During my two tours as a USAF Chaplain in the United Kingdom (1994-1997 & 2005-2008) I spent a fair amount of time visiting the Cemetery and either attending or officiating at the Memorial Day observances there.
This picture from a recent visit to the Fort Snelling National Cemetery is another reminder of the various places that are Hallowed Ground.
I thought a lot about these places and many others (Arlington and Gettysburg in addition to other National Cemeteries where I have officiated at Graveside services as a Chaplain) as we drove from Estes Park, CO to Austin, MN to visit my Dad.
Before leaving Estes Park, I led worship at our 10 AM service at Presbyterian Community Church of the Rockies. As I prayed I was moved profoundly when I heard in my heart the voices rising from the graves so to speak. This reflection has come as a result of meditation and contemplation during the 870 mile drive.
Memorial Day
It isn’t about Barbecues
It isn’t about a day off from work
We pause to remember
We pause to reflect
We pause to grieve
So many lives cut short by war
So many military and civilian deaths
Deaths on all sides of the conflicts
The American Civil War… so many died… all American citizens
World War 1… nearly an entire generation lost
A war to end all wars…
World War 2… yet again so many killed
The attempted eradication of an entire race
Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Syria…
So many other places around the world…
Thinking of those whom I have laid to rest
Thinking of the walking wounded amongst us today
Thinking of cultures nearly eradicated
Thinking of all this, I pray…
Their voice came to me from beyond the grave…
A groan arose in the depths of my being
The only words that could be said
No more! No more!
My voice wasn’t my own in that moment
They spoke through this broken Padre
No more! No more!
There are no winners in war
Only war itself
Only the military-industrial complex
The rich get richer
The rest of us in and out of uniform pay a heavy price
Their voices cry out again and again
No more! No more!
Lord, hear the cry of your children
Lord, change the hearts of politicians and haters
Lord, in your mercy, hear this prayer
A prayer from the dead and from the living
No more! No more!
Dona Nobis Pacem et in Terra
Grant Us Peace on Earth
