Taps....

Taps....148th  Memorial Day ...

Every year on Memorial Day weekend, there is a concert in
Washington DC in honor on the military which works so diligently to keep our country safe through worldwide conflicts...World War 2,  Korean, Vietnam, to current wars..with memoirs from the Civil war, to the consecrating of Arlington cemetery and all the thousands who lay there...or in similar fields around the world.

I sit and cry as men and women tell their stories...listening to the patriotic songs,  watch various branches of the military salute their units, challenged and maimed veterans move forward...from commanders to the military office workers- all serving with pride...the families who came, who are left behind as their family members serve or have passed away...heartache and triumph all in one big setting....rolling pictures for servicemen and women, young and old....inspirational songs, speaking of love of country, love of God ...

Pleas from the hosts for military personnel to seek help for their needs...celebrities, commanders mingling with the  audience, guests....honor, respect...tears and smiles...

Songs from different war eras playing through the night, praise songs, thanksgiving songs, military songs....intermingled with scripture and tears  of heartbreak...

Psalm 34:18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,

And finally the playing of Taps, the finale, the tear jerker of all songs... those melodious notes which to many denotes "the end"... new normals without loved ones, those never to walk into the room again...those who have served their country to their dying day...both young and old, sacrificing it all...

John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

1 John 3:16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.

Thank YOU for those who have made it possible to live in this country, who have given their lives, their careers to serve others....bless their families, bless them...help me not take for granted the gift You Have given....