There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13 NLT

This last Monday of May is set aside as a holiday. We look forward to a long weekend to enjoy time spent with family and friends. For many it is also a sign that summer is coming. Today is Memorial Day, a day to take time to remember the military men and women who have given their lives in service to our country, they laid down their lives for us.

Memorial Day was first observed in 1868, after the Civil War. It was a time to remember all those who died in our war with our own brothers and sisters in the United States. Memorial Day  was originally called Decoration Day because women would decorate the graves of all those killed in the Civil War with flowers.

The town of Ironton, Ohio has had a Memorial Day parade every year on Memorial Day since 1868. Today will be their 158^th Memorial Day Parade!

It was after World War I that the Decoration Day name was changed to Memorial Day. And it was now a day to recognize all those brave men and women who died in wars fighting for our country and for us, not just the Civil War dead. In 1971 it became a Federal holiday, meaning a day off of work and school.

Today, as we enjoy the day off with family and friends, let’s also take time to remember and honor those who have laid down their lives for us and our way of life. Accept their “great love” and honor their sacrifice to give us a hope and a future.

Take time today to remember and honor those who laid down their lives for us and our country.

I thank God for each of you! And I thank you for joining me this week as we celebrate Memorial Day by remembering and honoring those who sacrificed it all for us.

Blessings and peace in remembrance and honor!