Shot a round of golf with one of my Elders today at Adams Golf Course. Was having a pretty lousy day (finished with a 101). As I was preparing to tee off on the 17th hole I took a glance at the hole diagram kiosk. At the top of the kiosk was a rather unusual looking plaque. It was solid red with dark lettering. It simply said, “Lest We Forget.” In small print in one corner were the identification numbers for the local VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) chapter. I stood and stared at the plaque for a few seconds as I contemplated writing this article.
After a visit to a wonderful family’s home who had invited me to supper, I sat down and reflected upon what went through my mind as I read that plaque:
Memorial Day is this weekend; have we forgotten?
There were literally thousands and thousands of people who have died to save our way of life; have we forgotten?
There was a time when children’s activities were never scheduled on Wednesday or Sunday; have we forgotten?
Only eight years ago our country stood united as we were attacked by cowards disguised as martyrs; have we forgotten?
George Washington, our first president, took the oath of office and insisted on placing his hand on the Bible and saying the words, “So help me God.”; have we forgotten?
Almost every institution of higher learning, from Princeton to Duke, from Harvard to Pepperdine were founded for the glory of God; have we forgotten?
Science REVEALS God; have we forgotten?
There was a time when all weddings echoed the words, “Holy matrimony”; have we forgotten?
There was a time when a public belch was considered crude; have we forgotten?
There are missionaries for Christ in lands where they may become a real martyr; have we forgotten?
There was a Little Boy who grew up in Nazareth, who died for us all; have we forgotten?
Eleven disciples perished in humiliation and cruelty to promote the Gospel; have we forgotten?
Thousands of Roman citizens were willing to hide portions of the Bible so it would survive, under threat of immediate death; have we forgotten?
Mothers and Fathers worthy of honor; have we forgotten?
Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so; have we forgotten?
The TV, the Cell Phone, the Ipod, the Computer steal a great deal of time from God; have we forgotten?
Smile; have we forgotten?
Civility; have we forgotten?
Thousands of human babies called “embryos” will die today; have we forgotten?
Thousands of human babies called “fertilized eggs” will be dismembered to harvest stem cells today; have we forgotten?
Conversations without cursing; have we forgotten?
TV shows with moral fiber; have we forgotten?
Maybe we have forgotten too much.