Remember Them All, Every Single One!

“You need to know, friends, that thanking God over and over for you is not only a pleasure; it's a must.” II Thessalonians 1:3 Msg
Paul begins the second letter of Thessalonians by saying that he must thank God over and over again for them because of the way they were growing in their faith, because of the way they were serving and following God. I have been thinking about this as I think about this Memorial weekend coming up. I have been thinking we should have the same urgency as Americans in being thankful for the people that have served us that Paul had for those who were diligently serving God. For Paul it was a must and it should also for us. This should be something that we do regular basis not once a year. But since it is Memorial Weekend we really should focus on it even more. So I have spent time this week just thanking God for my country and the freedom I have and all the people that gave me that freedom. I read in the Washington Post that President Obama has decided to skip memorial services at Arlington National Cemetery and instead has decided to go back to Chicago for the weekend to uphold a promise he made while campaigned. Here is what the Washington Post said, “With the long Memorial Day weekend on the horizon, President Obama is finally addressing one of the great broken promises of his administration: his early pledge to return home to Chicago every six weeks or so.” Ok that is so nice. I am glad that he decided out of all weekends this is the one that he needed to go and vacation in Chicago to fulfill a campaign promise. I mean it is only Memorial Day weekend when we honor those who have gave, gave their lives for us to have the freedom we have. And I guess it is only Arlington National Cemetery that he is skipping out on. Quite possibly the most hallowed and sacred piece of realestate in the country. After all He is only the Commander in Chief. The leader of our armed forces who commands their respect. For some reason that just rubs me the wrong way. Maybe he is just doing what most everyone else will do this weekend, just relax and have a reason for a getaway. I will admit that I am also guilty of visiting some people that are camping this weekend, I am planning in taking the kids to a park and having a BBQ. But as I do I will spend time remembering and praying for those who have served and died for the freedom that I have. I don’t know about you but I have had the honor of knowing a man that served our great country that commands my respect. I have the honor and privilege of knowing someone that literally laid his life on the line for me and my freedom, even though I was not even thought of yet, and for that I am forever grateful. He is my Dad. His name is Douglas M Noonkester I. He is a Marine. He was in the United States Marine Corps from May 1966 to May 1968. He served and put his life on the line in Viet Nam from Aug.1967 to May 1968. The Last unit he served in was 5th Force Service Regiment near Da Nang. And he is proud to admit that he “Was in country during Tet offensive .OOOO RAH! ! SEMPER FI .” I asked my dad about his time in the Marines a couple of days ago and after he told me about his serving he wrote’, “Thanks son. A lot of folks (mostly dems and libs) don't appreciate Viet Nam vets. But that's ok. We know we served with Honor, Courage and Commitment. Always faithful to God, country and corps. If the corps puts God first that tells me something. To bad our country doesn't anymore.” Pops and all the rest of you that served and protected, THANK YOU.” Maybe my dad is why right now as I write this I do so with tears in my eyes, maybe he is why on Sunday when I take time to honor and thank God for all those who have served I will have to do my best to keep it together, because I realize but will never know what he did in serving this country and how it profoundly it impacted his life. Listen as you enjoy this weekend doing whatever you like to do on this weekend, remember it was because a military man or woman served in ways that unless you did, you can never begin to understand, to give and preserve the great freedom that we have. So if you see any of them follow Paul’s example with the Thessalonians thanking God over and over for you is not only a pleasure; it's a must.