, 2025
General Superintendent
Max Edwards
Yesterday was a holiday on our calendars - - Memorial Day. I tend to think that many of us are losing the proper meaning of Memorial Day. It should be a day to pause, remember, and be grateful. Thankful for those who have given so great a sacrifice that we might enjoy freedom and peace. As a young boy growing up in central Iowa in the 1960’s and 70’s, I didn’t know it as “Memorial Day.” In Iowa, then, it was commonly called “Decoration Day,” because it was marked out as a day to decorate the gravestones of fallen soldiers, as well as those of beloved family members. It was a day to remember something.
I fear that the all-too-common notion of Memorial Day is that it is the unofficial start of summer, and/or an occasion to run car or furniture sales. It is almost a synonym for barbecuing and picnics in the park. While those things are not wrong, that understanding of the holiday doesn’t inspire gratitude, nor remind us that so many of the freedoms that we enjoy and count on are not actually free. We would do well to pause and appreciate the sacrifice of men and women who have heroically served us, both here and abroad.
One such hero is Corporal Pat Tillman, a decorated Ranger, who gave his life in service to his country in Operation Enduring Freedom. Pat was an up-and-coming star in the NFL, drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in 1998 to play safety, which he did for several seasons until the events of 9/11 motivated him to walk away from his multi-million dollar contract to enlist in the US Army.
On April 22, 2004, a combat patrol was ambushed by insurgents in southwest Afghanistan. The patrol responded with immediate gunfire and soon after, the insurgents broke off. But before they did, one Army Ranger, a specialist from “A” Company of 75th Ranger Regiment out of Fort Lewis, Washington, had fallen.
Pat was not in the Army because he couldn’t find a job. He was there because he believed in something. He believed that serving others was more important than serving himself. He believed in old-fashioned virtues like honor, and bravery, and loyalty. Michael Bidwill, son of the owner of the Arizona Cardinals, said this about Pat, “In sports we have a tendency to overuse terms like courage and bravery and heroes, and then someone like Pat Tillman comes along and reminds us what those terms really mean.” Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger noted: “Pat’s journey, that’s the American dream, and he sacrificed that. That to me is a real hero.”
That kind of heroism is inspiring … humbling … commendable.
For us, Memorial Day should be a reminder of that kind of selfless service. And our gratitude for earthly heroes should remind us of an even greater sacrifice … Jesus Christ left heaven to come to earth to serve us!! He walked away from much more than $3.6 million. And He came to earth KNOWING that He was going to die. And He did it out of love for people, many of whom may never appreciate that sacrifice, and never give one minute’s thought to the deep love that would motivate someone to do such a thing. Let’s remember our heroes!