Many of us know or know of someone who gave-up their life for our country – the older you are the more probable that is. While each and every one of our fallen, as an individual, deserve a day a remembrance, the last Monday in May has been set aside for us to memorialize all of them. The idea dates back to 1868 to celebrate those who died in our Civil War. But in 1968 Congress standardized the name of that day to “Memorial Day.” And thus, it is on Monday, May 26^th we celebrate and remember our war dead, including all wars. For those who survived, another day is set aside for their remembrance. We know it a Veterans Day.

While our Civil War was a seminal moment in our history, it can only be studied in history books. This is not meant to diminish the solemn service of our Civil War dead! It only serves to remind us that we are most affected by our living experiences. Many of us probably had a grandfather or great-grandfather or mother who served in WWI, WWII, and the wars that have followed, which means the feelings are more visceral because the experience was shared. For many of us, it is a firsthand experience, having lost comrades in arms.  And because of this, we have an emotional attachment to the upcoming holiday, known as Memorial Day.

Let us pray that our fallen have not died in vain – that their sacrifice endures forever. Additionally, let us hope and pray that their sacrifice was meaningful, that we are a free nation, under God.

Lincoln’s words in his Gettysburg Address in 1863 ring true even today:

“It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

I know these thoughts and values pervade our Harley community, for I have lived it with my Harley companions for many years.