To me the gift of life never seems more precious than when I reflect upon the great mystery of death. As you all enjoy your Memorial Day, your boat rides, your barbecue and your beer, I hope you will be sure to stop at some point and think about what this day is really about – a time to remember and thank God for those men and women who have died who gave their lives in service to their fellow man. Guys like 20 year old Jacob Barton of Lenexa MO who’s body was laid to rest just last week after he was shot to death by a fellow soldier in Camp Liberty Iraq and the other almost 400 service men and women killed in Iraq and Afghanistan in the last year.

On a day like today I can’t help but also think about those who lost their lives for the cause of truth and freedom right here on our own soil. After all, if it wasn’t for the sacrifice of so many men who envisioned a brighter future and a freer society over 230 years ago there would be no United States of America for our soldiers to defend today

For our fallen warriors:

God our Father,
Your power brings us to birth,
Your providence guides our lives,
and by Your command we return to dust.

Lord, those who die still live in Your presence,
their lives change but do not end.
I pray in hope for my family,
relatives and friends,
and for all the dead known to You alone.

In company with Christ,
Who died and now lives,
may they rejoice in Your kingdom,
where all our tears are wiped away.
Unite us together again in one family,
to sing Your praise forever and ever.

Amen.

From JPII’s “Meditations on the Book of Genesis at the Threshold of the Sistine Chapel”

This End is also the summit of transparency
such is the path of all generations.

“Non omnis moriar” (Not all of me will die).
What is imperishable in me
now stands face to face with Him Who Is!

No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends (Jn. 15:13)

R.I.P. Darin Thomas Settle, my friend, a Marine who died in a road accident while serving in Iraq three years ago: