The Solemnity of Memorial Day, 2026

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Today, we begin our Unoffcial First Day of Summer. The temperatures have begun to warm, the trees and flowers are in full bloom, and we anticipate longer nights, with fire pits, great music and a ton of fun.

But before we crack open that first ice cold brew and grill that hot dog or burger, or whatever your culinary pleasure, we need to remember the importance, the solemnity of this day.

People died and many cried for them as they gave their lives for the joys of liberty and freedom we take for granted. It began to take shape in 1763, as the colonists slowly realized that their rights as British citizens were  slowly eroding.

In 1776, it came truly into focus when brave American patriots announced to the world that they were free men, no longer subject to the rules of a government across a vast ocean who cared nothing of their well-being.

In 1787 and 1788, these new Americans argued over every word of what would become the Sacred Document of the United States. And by 1861, the phrase “the United States are” was fought over for four years, where many died, until that phrase forevermore became “the United States is”.

By the beginning of the 20th century, Americans were beginning to live in a prosperous country, with many modern conveniences of the time, developing new and exciting lifestyles, only the rich could previously afford. And when WWI broke out, many American soldiers went to Europe to fight and die for democracy and freedom, in order to end “the War to End All Wars.”

And less than twenty-five years later, many more Americans would die in a war to bring liberty and freedom across the globe, in a noble cause to end fascism and Nazism which stripped many people of those liberties and freedoms.

But for the rest of the 20th Century and right through today in the 21st  century, Americans still die for the right to have others enjoy what we seem to take for granted. All over the world.

It is time for America, you know, the United States of America, to remember that the United States IS one nation under God, who has given much blood and treasure for the liberty, justice and freedom for all mankind. 

And to take a moment of silence to thank God Almighty and those who died for those American values, before we celebrate with that first ice cold beer, for the privilege of taking those values and rights for granted. Amen.