McDonough First United Methodist Church

Memorial Sunday 2004

Remembering Those That Gave the Ultimate Sacrifice For Freedom

We had a beautiful Sunday.  We celebrated the birthday of the church on Pentecost, and remembered our soldiers that have gone to heaven before us.  Our flag entered the church with a full U.S. Marine Corps color guard in dress blues, and the "Pledge Allegiance" was led by one of our veterans.  The choir sang "America the Beautiful," and after our recognition of the soldiers that gave their lives in service, there was the playing of "Taps."

THE SOLDIER’S EMPTY TABLE

When you entered the Sanctuary this morning, you may have noticed this small table that occupies a place of high honor.  It is set for one.  The military caste displayed here is full of solemn symbolism.  Please let me explain.

This table is a special tribute to fallen American soldiers and deserving others who are missing from our midst.  These fallen warriors sacrificed their lives in defense of Freedom.  Many suffered as prisoners of war.

This table set for one is small.  It symbolizes the spirit and frailty of the American soldier facing an unknown destiny.

The small table is round to symbolize our seamless love and respect for fallen American warriors, who unselfishly put themselves in harms way to help create, preserve, and protect the land of the free and the home of the brave.

The table is white.  The color white symbolizes the purity of the American soldier’s intentions to always respond to their country’s call to arms and to give their blood, sweat, and tears as our nation sought the way to the truth and the light.

The single yellow rose displayed in the white vase symbolizes remembrance.  The rose reminds us of the patriotic American families and loved ones who kept the faith awaiting their warriors return from the battlefield.  The rose also represents our nation’s unyielding determination to demand proper accounting of all our missing heroes and our uncompromising commitment to bring all of our soldiers home..

The red, white and blue ribbon tied around the vase reminds us of “Old Glory” our American flag and the passions of Americans for Liberty.  The color red represents the human sacrifice and blood spilled by fallen American soldiers, who never let the flag touch the ground because they knew that Freedom is too precious to ever take for granted, and that Freedom is not free.

The slice of lemon on the bread plate reminds us of the bitter fate of our fallen American soldiers and especially of the bitter fate suffered by very young warriors in defense of America.  We may not know the dignity of their birth, but we do know the glory of the lives they shed for America.  They drained deep the cup of courage.  The died uncomplaining with faith in the hearts, and on their lips the hope that we go on to victory, a better country, and world peace. 

There is salt on the bread plate on the table.  The salt is symbolic of the river of tears shed by Freedom loving parents and loved ones of brave American soldiers who gave all that mortals can give in military service

The “Holy Bible” on the table represents the strong religious influence in our country. It represents the faith of Americans in an omnipotent, omniscience, and omnipresent God who is always standing in the shadows keeping watch above His own.

An empty glass is inverted on the table for our fallen comrades cannot toast with us this day. 

The chair, too, is empty for they are not here.

Please stand for the playing of taps in honor of our fallen comrades.

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