Why You Should Remember The Fallen

It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather, we should thank God that such men lived. - General George Patton

Nearly one month after the surrender of Germany in World War II, one of the most iconic U.S. Generals, George Patton, said on June 7, 1945, “It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather, we should thank God that such men lived.” (Image by Pixabay)

One role of government, which God created, is to defend its citizens from enemies within and without. The Bible says, “But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he [government] does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.” (Romans 13:4) This is why governments have standing armies and weapons of war, to always be prepared to carry out their God-given responsibility to defend their nation.

When times like this happen, it becomes a necessary burden for the government and its people to take up arms and fight a just cause in defense of their country. In some cases, they may be fighting for their very survival. In those dark moments we should thank God for the soldiers who have lived and died, that we might be free.

One such soldier was 20-year-old Sergeant Daniel Brown from Stamford, Connecticut. He became a decorated war hero at the end of the Revolutionary War (1775-83). May 3, 1783, he was awarded the Badge of Military Merit by General George Washington, who created the award (later it became the Purple Heart). Brown was one of only three soldiers to receive the commendation. He served with the 5th Connecticut Regiment and led soldiers on a dangerous mission to take Yorktown, in Virgina, from British forces.

American troops were carefully preparing for an attack on Yorktown. They had scouted out where the fortifications were that needed to be breached for a successful campaign. Troops were in position, waiting for the signal to attack, when the enemy spotted them and British soldiers began firing. Then immediately, while under fire and with only bayonets, Graham led his men over obstacles to an assault on a key fort at Yorktown. Browns citation reads, “…on the evening of the 14th of October 1781, [Sergeant Daniel Brown] conducted a forlorn hope (a suicide mission) with great bravery, propriety, and deliberate firmness, and his general character appears unexceptionable.”

Because of Brown’s extraordinary bravery in battle, British General Earl Cornwallis had his defenses cut off with no hope of retreat and was forced to surrender. That battle was the last military engagement of the American Revolution.

Americans, as well as citizens of every nation, should be grateful to God for soldiers like Sergeant Brown, who are willing to sacrifice themselves to fight for their homeland.

Why should we remember soldiers who have lived and died among us? Why should we remember their heroic deeds? Because it reminds us that we live in a world of good and evil, light and darkness, God and Satan. It reminds us of the reality that there are still ruthless leaders and vigilante groups who conquer and destroy with much bloodshed. It reminds us that we need godly men and women to boldly stand against such evil. It also reminds us that war is ultimately a spiritual battle, which is where we can have hope. For when the good news of Jesus Christ is declared, it can change the vilest of men. Through Jesus, the hardest of hearts, the cruelest of souls, the darkest of minds can be touched by the Master. How? Through Jesus’ death and resurrection. His greatest act of love, courage and self-sacrifice has brought hope to the world. For it is written about Jesus, that He, “…disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them...” (Colossians 2:15) And because of this, one day in the future, there will be no—more--war!

A prayer for you – Lord God, I thank you for our brave men and women who have given their lives for the defense of our nation. Protect those who are serving today. And I pray you will send your good news of Christ into war-torn areas, that souls might be transformed by the power of God. In Jesus’ name. Amen.