“Three years after the Civil War ended, on May 5, 1868, the head of an organization of Union veterans, the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), established Decoration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. Ma j. Gen. John A. Logan declared it should be May 30.”  U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs. “Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in service of the United States of America.” U.S. Memorial Day. Org

Across the globe there are graveyards of “Cross’s” that hold the remains of men & women that gave their all so that we and others may live in freedom. The lesson from history is that the evil of repression, bondage and abuse runs through all of history. “The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

While the United States of America, like you & I are not perfect, it has not forgotten its roots, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Declaration of Independence, 1776.

One of my favorite speakers & authors, Andy Andrews, coined the phrase, “But, if you think about it…” So, when you think about it… the many white crosses around the world got their root in the Cross of Jesus, who did not remain silent but gave His life that all may be free. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

One of my Bible heroes was a man that could not be silenced from spreading the Good News. He was brought before the same religious leaders where he gave “THE” Declaration of Freedom that only Jesus can provide (See Acts 6 & 7). Stephen knew the outcome of the trial and chose to be free. “But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God…While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.” Acts 7:55-56, 59-60.

Freedom…Only Jesus can set you free. He did it at the Cross. Never Forget. Never stop being Thankful.