Memorial Day – My Cup Runneth Over

Memorial Day is for remembering and being grateful. It is about the ultimate sacrifice, honoring those who rose to fight for our liberties, for our lives, and who lost life in the process. On this day, we reflect, and – at least for me – grow quiet.

More than 250,000 American family members – alive today – lost a close relative in combat. Words to them are distant, this day filled with “what ifs.” Yet still there is gratitude, even with the loss.

Only one percent of America is, at any given time, on active duty, only six percent veterans. Since 9-11, we have lost 7,057 veterans in combat, 30,177 to suicide. That reality is – or should be – shocking. Freedom comes at enormous cost. 

These veterans did not fail us, they stood up. They put themselves at risk, suffering for us – in an epic, spiritual, other-regarding way. How often did we not know their hearts, miss them before we missed them, not realize who they were, just walk on.

Memorial Day, lived right and reflected on after, is about these souls who, often young, hopeful, idealistic, drawn to service by calling, did not hesitate. They died fulfilling their destiny, and – I believe – reside with a God who knows their hearts.

We must try to know their hearts too, impossible as that is, because from them we learn strength. If unable to face what they faced, feel what they felt, or reach through The Great Veil to thank them, we must try. From beyond, they teach us.

Memorial Day is about stopping to give thanks, crying if we must, understanding what it means to be blessed, truly blessed, by souls who gave it all to us – the ultimate gift. Wrote Evangelist John, “Greater love has no man than this: To lay down one’s life for another.” They had that love.

Many Bible verses go into combat. Deuteronomy 31:6 reads: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them… for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Philippians 4:13 reads: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” Psalm 28:7, “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.”

Psalm 23 is timeless: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

For Christians, this is not the end. For these noble souls who teach from beyond the grave, these verses were always two sided, the promise of protection here and promise of relief there, risk worth it, rewarded. For their example of courage, commitment and sacrifice – all for us – the only word is gratitude. My cup runneth over.

Robert Charles is a former Assistant Secretary of State under Colin Powell, former Reagan and Bush 41 White House staffer, attorney, and naval intelligence officer (USNR). He wrote “Narcotics and Terrorism” (2003), “Eagles and Evergreens” (2018), and is National Spokesman for AMAC. Robert Charles has also just released an uplifting new book, “Cherish America: Stories of Courage, Character, and Kindness” (Tower Publishing, 2024).