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

A Time for Respect on this Memorial Day 2025

Fred Bauer was a writer and author for Guideposts. I am sharing his last devotion about Memorial Day before he died in 2009.

“Not long ago I stopped in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, and visited a cemetery said to be the birthplace of Memorial Day. It was in this cemetery in 1864 where three young women: Emma Hunter, Sophie Keller and Elizabeth Myers who began the custom of decorating soldiers’ graves in 1864, while the Civil War was still being fought. They wanted to recognize the contributions of villagers who had paid the ultimate price, and they did it with what was at hand – some homegrown flowers. The idea of decorating graves caught on, and today, because of the thoughtfulness of Emma, Sophie and Elizabeth, millions of people across the nation on Memorial Day will remember with deep affection those whose lives once touched theirs.”  

A Time to Act…
It is a time to act today on this last Monday in May which is declared Memorial Day even though the original day, called Decoration Day–the very first national commemoration, was enacted on May 30th. Our act should be that of somber, prayer, and deep appreciation for all our soldiers who fought for our country and lost their lives in doing so. The proclamation calls to all Americans “to observe Memorial Day by praying, according to their individual religious faith, for permanent peace.” May we do so with thankfulness in our hearts.

A Time to Pray…
Heavenly Father who sees all of the hurt, comfort the hearts of those who have lost loved ones in the military. It might seem to us “unfair,” but You are the God who ordains our days. Let us remember those families are still grieving today. Remind them of Your love for them. Their loss provides for us a safe place to live and worship You. Keep those families close to Your heart today. Comfort them and let them know we do not forget their loved one’s sacrifice. Amen.