Memorial Day

[Dr. Shane]

"You bet I'm goin' to be a soldier, too,

like my Uncle David, when I grow up."

Memorial Day is a holiday in the US when we commemorate men and women who perished while in military service to their country. Its celebration has endured over the years perhaps because it is seen as the beginning of Summer more than a memorial for the nation's fallen freedom fighters. Veterans' Day, in November, often passes with hardly anyone noticing.

For Christians, such as myself, I am conflicted about celebrating the holiday too much. I do not deny the hero status of our fallen soldiers and sailors. I was a soldier for five years myself. I have, however, hidden my Army scrapbook so my children will not heroinize my service. I think other heroes deserve an equal status with our fallen soldiers and sailors. I see firemen, policemen, medial workers and missionaries as all being on the same level of heroes as military personal.