Remembering with Honor

I grew up in a church that had a unique and wonderful tradition for Memorial Sunday. Every year they would read the list of fallen soldiers who served their country and were buried in the Bethel Grove Cemetery. I love this tradition that continues at the beautiful country church near Liscomb, Iowa.

I was taught to listen to the names, ranks, where they served and when they died. In doing so I was honoring the person with respect. When I was young I wasn't so anxious to listen to the long list. It seemed like it took forever. I was excited to get to the next step of the tradition: marching to the cemetery.

Everyone who had flowers brought buckets full and set them outside the church. Those walking would grab handsful of the fragrant iris, lilies, peonies, and more and create a line up following the flag carried by a serviceperson. It was beautiful and powerful as we walked the gravel road to the cemetery, a quarter-mile away.

Bethel Grove Cemetery May 24, 2014

The flowers would be placed on each grave marked by a flag, or a pioneer flag marking those who settled in the Iowa River bend to establish Bethel Grove Church. Additional flowers were placed on an unknown soldier's grave marked by a rectangle of flags. The service at the grave ended when possible with Taps.

"Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever," (Psalm 112:6 NIV).

May we all pause today to give thanks for all the service members who have worked so hard, and died to give us a country of freedom. May we raise our American flags to wave in the breeze today; remember and honor Memorial Day.