Brown's Daily Word 5-22-09

Good morning,
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Memorial Day is an official holiday in the United States. It was observed on May 30 until 1971 when, for federal employees, the date was changed to the last Monday in May. With the exception of Louisiana, all states observing Memorial Day adopted the change. Memorial Day is also known as Decoration Day. The custom of placing flowers on the graves of soldiers killed in the Civil War began on May 5, 1866 in Waterloo, NY; Waterloo has been recognized by Congress as the official birthplace of Memorial Day. In 1868, Gen. John A. Logan, then President of the Grand Army of the Republic, declared that May 30 would be a day to decorate "with flowers the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion.” After World War I the day was set aside to honor the fallen of all American wars, and the custom was extended to pay homage to deceased relatives and friends, both military and civilian. The most solemn ceremony conducted on Memorial Day is the placing of a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns located in Arlington National Cemetery. Some Southern states observe Confederate Memorial Day. The fallen are remembered on April 26 in Georgia, the last Monday in April in Alabama and Mississippi, and May 10 in South Carolina. Alabama, Mississippi, and South Carolina do not observe the general holiday, and in Virginia the last Monday in May is called Confederate Memorial Day. Many people see Memorial Day as just another day off - a 3 day weekend. Others observe Memorial Day as the official beginning of the camping season. However, for those who have lost someone because of war or military action, it means much more than a day off. In fact, every American ought to recognize this day out of his patriotic duty to his country and in honor of those who have spilled their blood to make America what she is today -- a nation that is free, strong, and worth fighting for. Because men have died for this country, we have the right to preach God’s word freely. We have the right to live at peace in our own homes. We have the right to pursue peace, prosperity and happiness. Thank God for those who died to make us free. As we prepare to remember those who died for liberty, it is fitting to remember the one who died to set us free from spiritual tyranny. Jesus fought the armies of Hell that we might have liberty in his holy name. We celebrate Memorial Day once a year to remember those who have died for freedom, but every week is a celebration of the death and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. He came, He saw, and He conquered sin and death. He is the real giver of freedom. Blessed be His Name.
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VslzcciRmZg