Lest we forget

by George Boise

Last week, we celebrated Memorial Day. There were many observances held around town all weekend. All were sparsely attended in ratio to our population. I feel for the old vets who come out with their uniforms on and look around to see only a few faces. They must wonder, 'Don't they care?' Well, do we?

No one goes to war and comes back unscathed. If not killed in action or wounded physically, then certainly mental or emotional scarring for life. So we have services honoring the men and women who have sacrificed their lives in service to their county to insure our freedom.

From the Revolutionary War, so that we could be free from the rule and taxation of Mother England, our boys whipped them Redcoats and won our independence. The War of 1812, The Civil War; very sad when family members fight against each other. The South didn't win their independence, but the slaves did. And now we're one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Or are we? And don't forget the Veterans of Foreign Wars, where we've gone over seas to help liberate other countries from tyranny. They'd be speaking German in France right now if not for us. Korea, North and South, is still split. But the South is still free. Thank you, G.I. Joe.

Viet Nam. What was that about? Economics? Well, ain't they all? I lost some close friends in that one. Then they've got Desert Storm. Kuwait is still pumping its own oil. And we're paying $4.50 a gallon at the pump. Enduring freedom, I think this one is called. Bin Laden is still free. Is Iraq better off? Are we safer? The jury is still out on that one.

One thing is for sure. There are always going to be wars. From Genesis to Revelation (which is yet to come)-that big final battle called Armageddon. I'd like to add a name to the list of those who have fought and gained our freedom. His name is Jesus. And the war He won was for our souls. He said, “I have come to set the captives free.” And He did. Those who were bound by Satan, He loosed and set free. He opened the eyes of the blind, and those who were spiritually blind He made to see the truth. Because He is the truth. Those who were lame, He made to walk. Physically they walked on the ground, but spiritually they walked in faith. There were those who were dead and He brought them back to life. Those who were spiritually dead in trespasses and sins were raised to new life in Him, because He is the life.

And so for these things, these horrible crimes against humanity, they killed Him, or so they thought. As He hung there on that cross He said, “It is finished.” The battle is over, and He won it. How could that be? We killed Him. Yes, we did. But God (I love those two words) said 'wake up, Son; come on home.' And up He came, and there He is still today, waiting for us to come to Him. Now, that's what I call victory; that's what I call freedom.

I wrote this-lest we forget.