Lest We Forget 5/30/43

Scripture: Philippians 1: 1-21 (read)

Decoration Day, or Memorial Day, is a day that is set apart in many states of our American Union for remembrance of those who died in the American Civil War. It is observed particularly in the northern states, many southern states having a separate day for remembrance of the confederates who fell during that conflict.

The Civil War has seemed so important to the nation as to make it especially appropriate to remember and commemorate the sacrifice of those who struggled to save these United States from dissolution. Without the preservation of the Union, we might since have become citizens of two or more nations, smaller, jealous and suspicious of each other, without the strength of our united nation. North America might eventually have become like the continent of Europe, made up of states that struggle with each other instead of living together cooperatively as a unified whole.

Of course the day has taken on added significance through the years. It has been the custom to recognize all of the Civil War veterans, living or dead, and many of us remember the places of prominence given the men in blue uniforms when the Decoration day programs and parades were made up.

Our country became involved in other struggles and the Memorial Day observance included the veterans of later years. Then came a great World War of 25 years ago, and Memorial Day included remembrance of the patriots of that conflict, and the cause to which they gave themselves.

Now we are engulfed in the greatest conflagration that war has ever created. More men than ever before are bearing, and will bear arms. Women are added to the services in great numbers. The people of the whole nation are involved in gigantic struggle as, perhaps, never before. In the midst of it all, we come to this, another Memorial Day. And “Lest We Forget” we pause in tribute to those people whose service and sacrifice has given us a nation, and a manner of life, that is precious to us.

1) We remember the dead. The host of men who have laid down their lives in battle, or as a result of battle, through the history of our nation, have offered a sacrifice which the living must try to merit. Life has again been poured out, and is now being offered in upholding the ideas and practices of liberty for which we stand. Perhaps the sacrifice struck closest home to this congregation when, a little more than a year ago, one of our own fine young members gave his life in line of duty, in the defense of the nation. We offer grateful tribute to him and to all others who, with him, have spent all they had for the common welfare.

Through the years, another significance has grown with the recurring observance of Memorial Day. We remember not only our military heroes, but the countless folk who served during the pursuits of peace and have laid down their burdens. We remember the dead of our own families, of our own community, of our own church, who have blessed life’s pathways for us.

We do not pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps. The care and sacrifice of parents, the sharing of brothers and sisters, the encouragement of friends, the examples of the righteous, the guidance of teachers - all of these have helped to make us what we are and to give us what we have.

Some of our loved ones have passed away during the past year. We remember them tenderly and gratefully on this day of Remembrance. A splendid tribute to them may be found in the ritual of the Temple Israel.

In Memoriam

And now as we are about to leave the house of God, let us linger for a moment to think of our loved ones who have passed away. Whether they went when old, or while still young, long ago or recently, they did not go without leaving their mark on us. The merit of the fathers, the memory of the righteous, always makes for blessing. We have received so much at the hands of those who are no longer with us. Let us not be unmindful of the measures of our indebtedness. To remember those who are gone, is to gain strength for our daily tasks. If we wish it, a double portion of the spirit of our dead will rest upon us. For though gone, they still live, here on earth with us, and there with the God who gave them to us in the flesh for but a while. Because God is good and just, because man is fashioned in His spiritual image, because His promises are sure, the immortal hope to which we have held fast through the ages must somehow, in His own good time, be fulfilled. In the assurance that though the dust returns to the dust whence it came, the spirit returns to God who gave it, let us continue to worship Him who giveth life and taketh it away.

(From the ritual of the Temple Israel)

Probably you have already seen the words of this “memoriam” printed on the inside of our calendar for this morning. You may want to read it again later.

2) On this Memorial Sunday we remember also the living. Many of the veterans of our nation’s struggles are with us in the flesh, and share in the honor and observance of the day. Many of the present generation of soldiers, sailors, marines, and of the women’s auxiliary services are serving in the present mighty struggle. We do not see them because they are at their posts of duty. But we remember them, nevertheless, with a recognition of their splendid service.

We might also make the day one of appreciation of the hosts of loved ones, neighbors, friends, fellow citizens with whom we now live. The times in which we live call for the very best that all of us can give, whether we serve abroad or at home.

3) On this Memorial Day we remember the great ideals for which our patriots have always lived and died. It is for us, the living, to be here rededicated to the ideals of liberty, of the dignity and worth of the individual person for whose best development the state exists, of the right and duty to worship God according to the leading of one’s own conscience, of the right of minorities to be heard, and the duty of majorities to be fair. Memorial Day is a good time to remember ourselves and our duties and the demands of right living upon us.

“God of our fathers, known of old,

Lord of our far-flung battle line,

Beneath whose awful hand we hold

Dominion over palm and pine:

Lord God of hosts be with us yet,

Lest we forget, lest we forget!”

I am encouraged by the temper of our time. I think the patriotism of our nation is less noisy and deeper than ever before. Did you see the quotation from Morse A. Cartwright printed a couple of days ago in our local newspaper under the column, “So They Say?” Cartwright had written:

“Patriotism in World War II is more adult and far-seeing than in the former struggle. There seems little question but that in this war the approach to civilian morale among all classes of people in the nation lies not through flag waving or through hate propaganda, but through greater understanding of the tolerant, free world that fairly can be built when a democratic peace arrives.” (Morse A. Cartwright, director American Association of Adult Education.)

The ability to look with determination ahead of the tumult and strife of this hour of agony to something permanently better is again illustrated in a verse of the poem which appeared on the front page of the same paper last night:

“By these broad acres let us swear,

By our brave golden dead,

To rid the word of want and fear

To give men breath and bread.”

[Joseph Auslander - “Day of Remembering.”]

Victory might well prove more hollow than the last triumph of arms unless it brings implement to the hope of a better world for all peoples. The world is now fighting the fear of death - death of the body from the destructive forces of warfare, death of precious institutions, ideals and freedom. A victory in arms will give us opportunity to build against that fear. But only the opportunity.

Man can not save himself. Man can not invent himself into salvation. But there is a power which can save every man, woman and child and which can, through redeemed people, redeem the world’s social ills and sins. It can end warring and build a kingdom of righteousness.

The earliest Christians received and lived that power. The Christians of today must live it no less. It can banish fear like a dropped blindfold from darkened eyes.

A consecration of the living, born anew to the victory of Christ, can validate the sacrifice of every soul that has passed on in the effort to give us our opportunity.

The spirit of life, the contagion of immortality, which was in the early Christians and is in the resurrected Jesus, can be ours. Only this is victory.

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Dates and places delivered:

Wisconsin Rapids, May 30, 1943