The sins of America are many. Among the most blatant are: an insistence on the right to kill pre-born humans, the protection of pornography and the acceptance by many that perversion is normal and healthy. While these and other moral failings are signs the United States is far from healthy, a more subtle sign could be just as telling.
The sins of America are many. Among the most blatant are: an insistence
on the right to kill pre-born humans, the protection of pornography and
the acceptance by many that perversion is normal and healthy. While
these and other moral failings are signs the United States is far from
healthy, a more subtle sign could be just as telling.
In his book When Nations Die,
historian Jim Nelson Black cites 10 warning signs of a culture in
crisis. Among the trends that indicate a society has stopped making
history and is in the process of becoming history is “the loss of
respect for tradition.”
Tradition links generations together by calling attention to
significant events and people. It is a form of remembering. Tradition
commemorates not only the past, but also how the past impacts the
present.
Tradition is one generation passing the baton of history to the next.
When it is dropped, a selfish and spoiled generation develops,
characterized by obsession with the present with little or no regard
for that which is yet to come. The future is viewed through eyes of
cynicism rather than the gaze of hope.
A knowledge of and appreciation for those who have preceded us is
necessary in order to understand our place in history. If we are to
contribute positively to future generations we must understand how we
have benefited from past generations.
As a nation we have wisely set aside certain days for remembrance.
These are traditions that are designed to help us recall those who have
contributed to our nation. However, it seems we are in the process of
losing respect for some of these time-honored traditions.
America has long observed November 11 as Veterans Day. However, it
seems that the day set aside to honor the men and women that have
served in the United States military is not even a blip on the radar
screens of most Americans.
Veterans Day was established in 1911 as Armistice Day, and in 1952 it
was renamed and broadened to include all veterans of the U.S. armed
forces. The United States enjoys unprecedented liberty and unparalleled
opportunity. It must be impressed upon current and future generations
that it is our armed forces who have paid the price to protect
our freedoms.
It is the soldier, not the theologian, who has protected our freedom of religion.
It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has protected our freedom of the press.
It is the soldier, not the protestor, who has protected our freedom to demonstrate.
It is the soldier, not the judge or the lawyer, who has protected our judicial system.
It is the soldier, not the entrepreneur, who has protected our economic opportunity.
It is the soldier, whose coffin is draped in the flag, who has protected the freedom of those who wish to burn the flag.
If not for those who have been willing to sacrifice for the cause of
liberty, none of the freedoms mentioned above would be possible.
Veterans Day is fixed to a date, rather than a day, and thus does not
usually fall on a Monday. It does not afford the opportunity for a
three- day weekend and the ability to travel, barbecue or lounge at the
beach. But perhaps that is a good thing. Too many of our national
holidays have had their true meaning muted by being viewed as just
another day off from work and an excuse to overeat.
It requires a conscious effort to observe Veterans Day. However, it is
worth the effort to remember those who have served our country. Losing
respect for this and other time-honored observances is a subtle sign we
as a nation are far from healthy.
This Veterans Day, pause to reflect, remember and thank God for those
who have sacrificed so you might experience life in the greatest
country in the history of the world.