To graphically remind us of the high cost of freedom, many Memorial Day services are held in cemeteries where our fallen soldiers are buried.  And generally our President and Joint Chiefs of Staff lead our nation in special services at Arlington National Cemetery where a wreath is laid at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  It is always a sober experience for every patriotic American.  This annual Memorial Day is a somber “Celebration of Remembrance” so we and our children will never forget the bloody price that has been paid for the freedoms we so greatly enjoy – but so easily take for granted. 

The Bible teaches that is a “God of Remembrance.”  Since He knows how prone we are to forget all He has done for us, He gives us signposts as memorials to remind us of His love, mercy and grace.  So, He put the rainbow in the sky to remind us that He will never again judge the world through a flood.  He gave Abraham the sign of circumcision as a reminder of His sovereign grace to him and all of his descendents after him.  To keep the children of Israel from forgetting His miraculous deliverance of them from Egypt, followed by His protection and care of them in the wilderness for 40 years – and their final crossing of the Jordan into the Promised Land, He instructed them to make a monument of stones as a “…memorial to the sons of Israel forever.” 

Likewise, Jesus gave the broken bread and cup of wine of communion as a reminder of the price that He paid on the cross for us – and as a reminder of His certain coming again to receive us unto Himself.

How often we forget God’s goodness to us and His great sacrifice for us through the Lord Jesus that made it possible for us to be citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven.  And how often we also forget the sacrifice others have made for us so that we can be free citizens of the United States of America.  So, we need regular “Memorial Days” spiritually and nationally to keep us from forgetting and taking for granted – which is so natural for all of us!

When I was in church this past Memorial Day weekend, I also reflected over those ND Alumni who have already died before us.  And I rejoiced over their lives of service to the Lord Jesus – especially through the ND’s.  So I am sharing the following pictures of our “fallen comrades” who are now with the Lord.  If there are others I am not aware of who have died, I hope you will let me know.  Their pictures in order of their deaths are:

•Drew Love
•Paul Smith
•Delbert Spruill (no picture available at time of posting)
•Charles Alston

Finally, I also want to give thanks to the ND Alumni who have served, or are serving in the military – along with their children.  Some, like Chaplain David Morrow, have chosen a career in the military as their place of service for their God and country.  Some of the children are Mike and (soon) Jon Rogers (Sarah Lea), Jonathan Lamm (Woody and Nancy) and (soon) David Fraser (John and Jane). 

So, as you look at the pictures of those who are already with the Lord, let’s not forget them.  Let’s remember them and the lives they lived among us.  And as we do, may each of our lives be a memorial of faith and fidelity to both God and Country…

In His Love,

J.L.