Patriotism and sacrifice have a long history in the United States of America. They are abstract ideals, but how does our current American culture view them? Patriotism is the love of your country, the place you call home, but so many today find home is a place that can be very movable, and so allegiance to one set of values and actual place in our modern society is fluid. Where scenery and community have a limited allegiance and narrow roots. We have become mobile people in constant flux. Perhaps the concept of allegiance to one country is not viable today. Has our culture lost touch with the values that have given this nation a respected and admired reputation worldwide?

Let us reflect on this Memorial weekend and ponder the values this holiday represents. Patriotism, which is Loyalty to the country, is an abstract concept. Those who serve in the military make a special pledge of commitment to defend their nation, and oftentimes in our current world, to help make a humanitarian stand to help others. This defense of the country could cost them their lives. Service is a commitment to the community and nation. The armed forces are about citizens joining together to defend the values the country holds dear. Each person plays a part and is willing to put their life on the line.

Step back for a moment. Soldiers and sailors are willing to give their lives for abstract ideas. Memorial Day is about bravery, community, and values. It is also about obedience, courage, and sacrifice–abstract values that have no monetary value but are the glue that keeps a country going and gives the nation direction.

Sacrifice is a supreme form of love; it is how we give without seeking a return, a thank you, or a reward. Sacrifice means we are willing to give our lives for what we believe. We offer our very lives to make these ideals present in society.

This is a ponderable concept considering our current culture, which is centered on personal choice. Today, many see the community as a place to enrich themselves and serve their needs and wants. The concept of responsibility has a weak voice in our current day; however, a community cannot continue to grow if responsible citizens are unwilling to take values to heart. To wear a uniform and protect the country willingly. If we, the people, are not willing to defend and care about our society and the ideals it stands for, what is the alternative? The rub here is whose common good are we willing to protect? We seem conflicted regarding what values we want to consider important today. Do values become historical markers, losing their meaning? Bravery, sacrifice, and loyalty are no longer viable concepts in our current world.

The idea of Memorial Day is to honor the military personnel who gave their lives. Their country called them, and they answered. Their answer implied they may have to give their all, but they came, served, and died doing their duty. There are sailors buried at sea, there are white crosses in France and other major cemeteries around the world, the last resting place of these brave souls. Many were relatively young, with a whole life before them, ended. They gave their all.

I want to point out here that it was ideals, those abstract concepts which are the movers of our life, not money, status, or things. The commitment we honor today to responsibility and duty shows what sacrifice means on this day. Memorial Day should make us stop and realize how powerful and necessary values are to human beings. How vital is responsibility to society and the nation’s health? As a community, are we willing to take abstract values into our lives and realize how deeply we are all connected to health and safety, the state, country, family, and community? We need one another. Jesus taught us about sacrifice on the cross. These concepts of sacrifice, responsibility, and love of neighbor are needed more than ever in our culture. Please pray for these soldiers’ and sailors’ souls and may God in his mercy keep them in his hand. May they rest in peace.

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:12-13).