Memorial Day this year was much like other years. My family got an Allis-Chalmers D-19 cleaned up and hitched to a wagon. Our family church uses the parade as a way to spread the word about upcoming events. But the parade has been something done by my family long before the church got involved. Grandpa brought as many tractors as the family would drive. This year it was just the one. It still had people smiling in the crowd, as it is a tall and beautiful old tractor.

After the parade, there is a great service in tribute to the soldiers who have given their lives for the freedoms this country represents. I can’t imagine a much prettier cemetery. It is a natural amphitheater, with the speakers down in the middle and crowds of people littering the surrounding hills, standing or sitting among the gravestones.

Each year the speaker does something a little different. Sometimes the speaker gives a Gospel presentation. Other years it is stories from war. This year, the speaker stood there dressed in uniform. He thanked the crowd for gathering. He then proceeded to read the names of the men he knew personally who died alongside him in the service. First, their name. Next their age. And it amazed me that most were much younger than I am now. Lastly, where they were from. And they were from red and blue towns from all around the USA. Then he left the microphone.

It was a potent reminder that cut to the core of a Memorial Day gathering. The names of individuals gone too soon. Of families who go on without one of their members. Of towns and states who have lost high potential individuals that could positively impact their communities.

Regardless of stances on politics or on wars, everyone should be in support of the soul of a soldier. These young men and women are often deciding, at least in part, to risk their life for you.

Thank you to the soldiers. May we not get distracted by our own comfort but also choose to serve one another.

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life forhis friends. — John 15:13

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