A prayer for peace on Memorial Day

On this Memorial Day, fewer American troops are deployed in international fight zones than there have been in a long time. However that is removed from a time of peace. Russia’s warfare of aggression in Ukraine, simmering relations with North Korea and the potential for battle with China over Taiwan all might shortly escalate and attract U.S. troops. Subsequently, allow us to all pray for peace as we speak.

Traditionally, Memorial Day is an event for Individuals to recollect and to honor those that died in service of their nation. It grew out of post-Civil Warfare celebrations and differs from Veterans Day, which honors all who’ve served within the armed forces.

Because the American Revolution, about 1.2 million individuals have died whereas in army service, greater than half of them in battle.  One other 1.4 million suffered non-mortal wounding. The price of freedom is excessive, and people women and men paid it for all Individuals and the nation’s allies world wide.

After World Warfare II, Congress concluded that Memorial Day wanted to be greater than a day of remembrance. It additionally ought to be a day on which Individuals try for peace. President Harry Truman issued a proclamation in 1950 marking the event.

“Since warfare is the world’s most horrible scourge, we should always do all in our energy to forestall its recurrence,” Truman wrote. “In recognition of this want, the Congress has fittingly offered, in a joint decision … that Memorial Day, which has lengthy been put aside for paying tribute to those that misplaced their lives in warfare, shall henceforth be devoted additionally as a day for Nation-wide prayer for everlasting peace.”

Truman recommended that at 8 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time, “all our individuals could unite in prayer, every in accordance along with his personal spiritual religion, for divine support in bringing enduring peace to a troubled world.”

That exhortation continues to be related as we speak as enduring peace stays elusive. Allow us to all pause on Monday morning, and whisper a prayer, invocation or want for everlasting peace in order that Individuals sooner or later needn’t make the final word sacrifice in protection of freedom.

Then exit and benefit from the day with family and friends. Memorial Day can also be the unofficial begin of summer season, and that’s all proper.