Memorials and Markers

Today is Memorial Day in the U.S. It's a day when we memorialize and remember those who have given their lives in service to our country.

I've visited Arlington National Cemetery often. The image that we typically associate with Arlington is one of rows upon rows of white markers identifying those who are buried there. As I think about Memorial Day today and the markers that we set up in life to remind ourselves of important events and people, I'm reminded of how the two types of markers overlap.

Memorial Day is itself a type of marker. It marks a day of remembrance for those who have died in service to this great nation. It stands year after year as a reminder, and recalls to the forefront of our minds the actual cost of freedom.

We all have markers in our lives to remind us of important people and events - birthday's anniversaries, holidays, etc., but I often wonder if the larger markers like this Memorial Day serve to remind us of the smaller markers like the white ones in Arlington National Cemetery? Of all days, today is a day to remember the white markers.