Memorial Day 2006

Memorial Day 2006

As I sat in church today the priest’s homily started off by asking us how our memory was. He reminded us how with all the clutter that seems to take up our lives we have a hard time remembering things.

As he continued, my mind started wandering and thinking about the holiday we celebrate tomorrow. As millions have taken to the road to officially begin the “summer” season, I am reminded of the people that have given up their lives so we can enjoy the liberties we sometimes take for granted.

Memory, Memorial Day – most of my loved ones are buried thousands of miles away. My father’s picture (the only one I have) of him as a young man smartly dressed in an Italian soldier’s uniform flashes across my eyes as the priest continues his homily. My thoughts quickly turn to my uncles who served during World War II and I silently thank them. My thoughts quickly jump to the service that my middle boy gave to his country and to the one my oldest is currently involved in as a member of the National Guard.

I thank God that they are alive and I also pray for the ones that have died. The priest tells us that in order to focus we should start each day giving thanks to God for the new day and to strive in living our life as true Christians, children of God. He also tells us to end each day in contemplation of what’s been given to us during that day and to thank the Lord for it.

Toward the end of the service, Father offered a special prayer for all those that have gone before us. This brought tears to my eyes and as I picked up my head I could see the woman in front of me crying. I was so moved that I was tempted to go and hug her and console her but instead said a quick prayer for her.

I had just gotten my composure when the cantor sang America the Beautiful for the closing hymn. Again the tears started to flow and I was chocking on the words as I tried to sing along. This time I thought of the more than 2,400 soldiers that have died in Iraq and more than 290 soldiers killed in Afghanistan since combat began in those areas.

Close to 50 Massachusetts residents have died in Iraq or Afghanistan, including a 19-year-old Shrewsbury native who was killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan earlier this month.

Memorial Day will be spent in contemplation not only for those who died but for those who live on with the pain of the loss of a parent, a sibling, or a child. Lord, please embrace them and comfort them.