Memorial Day!
Bodie Hodge, M.Sc., B.Sc., PEI
Biblical Authority Ministries, May 25, 2026 (Donate)
And the children of Israel fled
before Judah, and God delivered them into their hand. Then Abijah and his
people struck them with a great slaughter; so five hundred thousand choice men
of Israel fell slain. (2 Chronicles 13:16-17, NKJV)
Throughout history, militaries have had units of soldiers sprinkled
in death. Sometimes entire armies are put to loss. The Civil War (1860s) between
the North and the South in the United States was by far the biggest loss of
life for American wars.
In ancient Israel, the North (Israel) and South (Judah) also
fought during their years of a “split kingdom”. In one battle, 500,000 warriors
fell for just one side (Israel) dwarfing any single battle in the USA. The
biggest battle in the American Civil War was Gettysburg, PA where a grand total
of about 50,000 casualties were incurred between the North and the South over 3
days.
Stop for a moment and remember the brokenness of the families
of these fallen soldiers whether in Ancient Israel or in the United States. That
brings me to a special modern holiday in the USA—Memorial Day.
What Is Memorial Day?
Memorial Day is a national holiday in the United
States set aside to honor and remember the men and women of the armed forces
who died in military service to their country. It’s observed on the last Monday
of May each year.
Unlike Veterans Day, which honors all who have served in the military, Memorial Day specifically focuses on those who gave their lives in battle, during war, or while serving in dangerous military duties. It is a solemn day of remembrance, gratitude, and reflection upon the sacrifices made for the freedoms Americans enjoy.
For many Americans, Memorial Day also marks the
beginning of summer activities, family gatherings, and community events. Yet at
its heart, the day is meant to direct the nation’s attention toward sacrifice,
courage, duty, and the cost of liberty. Flags are flown at half-staff until noon,
ceremonies are held at cemeteries and memorials, and many pause for the National
Moment of Remembrance observed each year at 3:00 p.m.
When And How Did Memorial Day Originate?
Memorial Day originally developed after the American
Civil War, when communities across America began decorating the graves of
fallen soldiers with flowers and flags. Because of this practice, the holiday
was first commonly known as “Decoration Day.” Many towns and cities
claim to have held the first observance, but the federal government officially
recognizes Waterloo as the birthplace of Memorial Day due to its
organized community-wide observance on May 5, 1866.
In 1868, General John A. Logan, leader of a Union veterans
organization called the Grand Army of the Republic, called for a national day
of remembrance on May 30 to decorate the graves of Civil War soldiers. As a
side note, there is a jr. community college in Southern Illinois named for John
A. Logan and I’ve actually taken a couple of classes there.
Over time, the observance expanded to honor all American
military personnel who died in service. In 1971, Memorial Day officially
became a federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May.
Why Is It So Important To Military Families And National
Leaders?
For military families, Memorial Day is deeply
personal. Behind every fallen soldier is a grieving family: parents who lost
children, spouses who lost husbands or wives, and children who grew up without
a parent. And military personal lose their military “brothers” and “sisters” in
combat. My father was a Marine who lost friends and fellow soldiers in war.
The holiday reminds the nation that freedom often comes with
a painful cost paid by real people. Families visit gravesites, share stories,
display photographs, and preserve the memory of loved ones who never returned
home. Schools often bring in military personnel to speak to students and help
them think more deeply about Memorial Day.
National leaders view Memorial Day as important
because it helps unites the nation around remembrance, patriotism, and
gratitude. Presidents, governors, military leaders, and local officials often
participate in ceremonies at national cemeteries such as Arlington National
Cemetery.
Speeches given on Memorial Day commonly discuss
sacrifice, courage, service, as well as the responsibility of citizens to
preserve the freedoms for which others died. The day also reminds nations that
war carries terrible consequences.
While honoring bravery and heroism, Memorial Day also causes
people to step back and reflect on the sorrow and suffering connected to military
conflict. It is both a day of honor and a sober reminder of the price of peace.
I have no doubts these same thoughts ran through the families and service
members of ancient Israel too!
What Are Some Ways Americans Can Remember The Fallen?
Americans remember the fallen in many meaningful ways. One common practice is visiting cemeteries or memorials to place flowers and flags on graves—echoing Decoration Day. Communities often host parades, memorial services, concerts, and public ceremonies that honor military sacrifice. Some people wear patriotic colors or display the American flag at their homes.
Another meaningful way to honor the fallen is by learning
and teaching history. Reading about past wars, listening to veterans’
testimonies, and studying the sacrifices of military personnel helps preserve
their memory for future generations. Families may also pray together, observe
moments of silence, or support military charities that assist veterans and
surviving family members.
Christians may additionally use Memorial Day as a
time to thank God for those willing to sacrifice themselves for others. Jesus
Christ declared in John 15:13 (NKJV):
“Greater love has no one than this,
than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”
While this verse ultimately points to Christ’s own
sacrificial death, many recognize a reflection of that principle in those who
willingly gave their lives protecting others.
How Did The Bible Reveal How People Honored The Fallen
Warriors From Battle?
The Bible provides several examples of people honoring
fallen warriors and leaders after battle. In 2 Samuel 1, David mourned the
deaths of Saul and Jonathan after they died fighting the Philistines. David
composed a lament known as “The Song of the Bow,” publicly grieving their
deaths and praising their bravery. Rather than rejoicing over Saul’s fall,
David honored the fallen and commanded that the lament be taught to the people
of Judah.
The men of Jabesh Gilead also showed honor to Saul and his
sons after their deaths in battle (1 Samuel 31:11-13). They courageously
retrieved the bodies from enemy territory and then they gave them a respectful burial.
Their actions showed loyalty toward their former king.
Another biblical example appears after the death of Abner in
2 Samuel 3. David publicly mourned Abner’s death, fasted, and walked behind the
burial procession. The people recognized this as sincere honor toward a fallen
military leader. Throughout Scripture, mourning, lamentation, burial, memorial
stones, songs, and public remembrance were all ways God’s people honored those
who had fallen.
These examples reveal that remembering the dead with
dignity, gratitude, and respect isn’t foreign to the biblical worldview but
instead flow from it. Scripture consistently portrays honoring the fallen as an
act of respect and remembrance.
Conclusion
Memorial Day stands as one of America’s most solemn
national observances. It is a day to remember those who sacrificed their lives
in military service and to recognize the freedoms purchased through great cost.
From its origins after the Civil War to modern ceremonies across the nation, Memorial
Day continues to encourage Americans families and their respective losses.
For Christians, Memorial Day can also point toward
deeper biblical truths about sacrifice, service, courage, and love for others.
Remembering the fallen honors not only their bravery but also the principle
that sacrificial love is noble and worthy of remembrance. As Americans gather
with family and friends, it is fitting to pause and reflect on those who never
returned home so others might live in peace and liberty.
Bodie Hodge, Ken
Ham's son in law, has been an apologist defending 6-day creation and opposing
evolution since 1998. He spent 21 years working at Answers in Genesis as
a speaker, writer, and researcher as well as a founding news anchor for Answers
News. He was also head of the Oversight Council.
Bodie
launched Biblical Authority Ministries in 2015 as a personal
website and it was organized officially in 2025 as a 501(c)(3). He has spoken
on multiple continents and hosts of US states in churches, colleges, and
universities. He is married with four children.
Mr. Hodge earned a
Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from Southern Illinois University at
Carbondale (SIUC). Then he taught at SIUC for a couple of years as a
Visiting Instructor teaching all levels of undergraduate engineering and
running a materials lab and a CAD lab. He did research on advanced ceramic
materials to develop a new method of production of titanium diboride with a
grant from Lockheed Martin. He worked as a Test Engineer for Caterpillar,
Inc., prior to entering full-time ministry.
His love of science
was coupled with a love of history, philosophy, and theology. For about one
year of his life, Bodie was editing and updating a theological, historical, and
scientific dictionary/encyclopedia for AI use and training. Mr. Hodge has over
25 years of experience in writing, speaking and researching in these fields.
*Image generated through ChatGPT
