“Observations”©

Donald S. Conkey

Date: May 22, 2008 - 8821 - Memorial Day 2008 (824)

Aside from being a national holiday, what is Memorial Day? Is it a day of celebration, or a day of remembrance? How do you celebrate people dying in defense of freedom? You don’t! You remember what they did, and why they died. Then you thank God for those men and women who loved freedom enough to give their life to preserve it, and hope and pray their sacrifice was not in vain and that “we the people” will have the “will” to preserve our God given freedoms which became a beacon of hope to enslaved people worldwide. In 1787 over 99 percent of the world was ruled by tyrants and despots. The Revolutionary War brought a new form of government to the world, but at a heavy price – much spilt blood.

       In 2006 Cherokee County celebrated the opening of its new National Veterans Cemetery near Sutallee, a cemetery which will be the final resting place for thousands of Americans who either died or were prepared to die to preserve the “Unalienable Rights” God restored in America. It’s the cemetery that already includes dear friends Sterling Eide and John Williams. And it will be my final resting place as well.

       In 2004 America celebrated the opening of the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C., in remembrance of those who gave their lives during World War II – all 405,000 of them. Another 671,000 were wounded. This war was to end all wars – but didn’t.

       Bill McPhee was killed in World War II. I knew Bill; I went to church with him. I knew his parents and his brother and sisters. His name was etched on the walls of this new memorial over 60 years in the making. Of the 16 million who fought in this war only a few million are still living with a thousand or more dying daily – thus the need for more veteran burial grounds – and Sutallee. And that was only World War II. I am a veteran of the Korean War; other millions are also veterans of the Korean, Vietnam, and Desert Storm wars. And we are still at war – a war on terrorism that is proving difficult to end.

       I occasionally ponder the question – why war? Will war never end? Who perpetuates it? Revelation 12 helped me understand this question somewhat. It tells about that “war in heaven” – before the world was created, a war that Satan, along with “a third of the hosts of heaven” lost and were cast down to earth. Verse 12 says “Therefore rejoice, ye heavens and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhibitors of the earth, and of the sea! for the devil is come down into you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.”

       Satan’s wrath is real. I often ponder America’s future for my growing posterity. But when I realize every generation has its own challenges to deal with, a feeling of assurance comes over me and my fears for my posterity fade.

       Article I, Section 9 of the Constitution stipulated no more slaves could be imported into the United States, after 1808. It didn’t happen. In 1832 slavery and race was still a hot issue. One record states: “And the time will come when war will be poured out on all nations, ...” Twenty-eight years later the Civil War began and war was “poured out on all nations.” And the world is still torn apart with war.

       War is horrible. But slavery is worse. Once enslaved it takes centuries to break out of bondage. It took the Israelites 400 years of pleading before the Lord heard their prayers, and another 40 years of training to “self-govern themselves.” Then, after 256 years of self-government – Joshua to Saul – and serious corruption issues the people said to Samuel “now make us a king to judge us like all other nations.” (I Sam 8:5.) The Israelites had rejected God. Their kings led them into idolatry and near distinction. That history is well recorded.

       God led ancient Israel out of bondage. God led Europe’s religiously persecuted to America so He could rise up a new nation of freedom – and He did. Our nation’s history is crystal clear on this point.

       Those who would “sell-out” America and “make a king to judge over us (the United Nations)” are totally unaware of the reality of God’s wrath, or of the price it will take to regain our freedoms if they are lost. Ask the Germans, the Japanese, the Russians, even the Iraqis. They know the price – death and destruction.

       Remember Monday – Memorial Day. Yes, remember those who were and are still willing to pay the price to protect our freedoms, both yours and mine, and then give thanks to that God who gave America its freedoms. And be grateful we can still debate the issues, even with harsh rhetoric – and in many cases with completely opposing views. At least they are still words and not bullets.