The Greatest Love

Rick E. Meyer

Memorial Day

American Legion

Leigh, Nebraska

May 30, 2005

 

Members of the American Legion and members of the greater Leigh community, welcome. Memorial Day is a day in which we gather to pay tribute to those veterans who are no longer with us, and to honor those who are. I am honored and privileged   to stand before you today, you the true heroes - the creators of modem history.

I did not enjoy studying history in school, however historians inform us that history tends to repeat itself; there is much of history we hope is never repeated. 

However, there are pieces of history that should be repeated continually; ... America can and should  learn  a vast array about human performance from you, the Veterans of the United States Armed Services.

The Bible instructs us in John 15:12-13, we are to love others as Christ loves us; Christ says the Greatest love a person can display is laying down one's life for friends as Jesus did for us.  Jesus says "you are my friend if you do what I command". You, the Veterans, answered Christ's command, as every person who serves in defending our great nation is laying down their life for their Friends,   their fellow Americans and mankind around the globe.

My fellow Americans, each of these Veterans has laid down their life for Freedom & Liberation,   Freedom for America and all of the Free World. You have displayed the Greatest Love.

Yes, you who were blessed with life after the last shot in the last battle of the war you fought or served in; laid down your life.  Did you not give up months and years of your lives to serve?   Flint Whitlock in his recent book "The Fighting First"; tells the story of the Big Red One from Omaha Beach, to the hedge rows, Battle Aachen, the Hurtgen Forest to the Battle of the Bulge, states that over 60 years later the surviving veterans still have nightmares from battle.  

Perhaps some, if not all of you, still have nightmares from battle. The fact of memories lingering forever in your mind, whether from 60+ years or less than a month ago; are further evidence of laying down your life for mankind.

Naturally, some have or still do wonder why you survived while others did not.   The only answer I have  is that each day anyone awakens, regardless of age or state of health, God is saying "I have plans for you - today".  God has led his people into battle and victory, since nearly the beginning of time.

We are in constant pursuit of World Peace, which is World Hope. The Biblical definition for Peace is not the absence of negative, rather the presence of positive, the presence of HOPE. One of the names of Jesus is Prince of Peace; Jesus continues to bring hope despite the continual presence of evil.

While implementing the Greatest Love and spreading World Peace and World Hope, you have taught us priceless other lessons such as:

1. Listen to God
2. Power of Mind w/ Faith
3. Word is your Worth
4. Integrity Always
5. Avoid Paralysis of Analysis
6. Fall backwards: Faith & Thankfulness
7. Avoid Complacency
8. Liberation & Freedom
9. Chaplain John Burkhalter of Big Red One on Omaha Beach  ". ...Everything was to their advantage and to our disadvantage,   except for one thing:   the righteous cause for which we are fighting  - Liberation and Freedom. .." Fellow Americans, we must remember we fight for Liberation and Freedom everyday. We are only 6" from Liberation and Freedom, when we choose to live virtuously, living out the lessons you taught us; placing our Faith - Hope and Trust in Jesus Christ. Choices of thought we make daily in our lives. When we fight for this or any righteous cause nothing can stop us!

The men and women who have and are fighting and serving this great Nation deserve Americans to strive for more virtuous lives. The men and women who fought and served in North Africa, Italy, France and all of Europe, Pearl Harbor, Philippines, Japan, Mountains of Korea, Jungles of Vietnam, and the Sands of the Middle East; fought and served in order that we may Live, Live a life of Liberation and Freedom.

In Conclusion:

1.     America must readopt your lessons of World Champion Performances of 

2.     Listen to God

3.     Power of our Mind & Faith

4.     Word is our Worth

5.     Fall Backwards

6.     Avoid Paralysis of Analysis 

7.     Non­ Complacent in Fighting

8.     Liberation  and Freedom

However, most importantly, you have taught us that Life owes us absolutely nothing, ......... while we owe Life every ounce of energy we possess; expending that energy in answering - in responding, to the commands of Christ.

We will follow your example of laying down our life for our fellow man, loving others as our Lord loves us - you, the Veterans of the Undefeated World Champion  United States Armed Forces, exemplify The Greatest Love.

Mr. Commander.