Source Ministries International

USS Ault Vietnam 1967

A TIME OF REMEMBRANCE – MEMORIAL DAY in the USA is a time to remember those who gave the supreme sacrifice for our freedom. It is estimated that over 1,305,000 military personnel have died on behalf of the United States of America since its inception. 1,305,000 people may not sound like very many compared to the total US population of 300,000,000 plus people. However, every single person who died was a HUGE LOSS to the loved ones that were left behind. Moreover, their death is a HUGE GIFT to every US citizen.

FREEDOM COST THEM EVERYTHING – These brave men and women all DIED to give us the freedom, prosperity, and privileges that we enjoy today in the United States of America. Let us remember with thanksgiving those who gave their lives that we might have the privilege to live “in the land of the free and the home of the brave.”

MY PERSONAL STORY – During  my tour of duty in 1967 with the US Navy in Vietnam, I traveled to  the city of Manila in the Philippines. My visit to the city included the  cemetery where the US soldiers from World War II were buried. What a  sight! I gazed in awe at the seemingly endless rows of white crosses  (over 17,000) marking their graves.

    My namesake, Lewis Richey, one of my Dad’s best friends, died in that war while fighting in the Philippines. I couldn’t help but wonder if his name was on one of those crosses. The sight of all those crosses was a vivid reminder of the great price that has been paid for freedom.

    It was a deeply moving time for me. As a soldier myself, it struck close to home. This was partly because I was in the midst of a war in a distant land, far removed from family and  friends. But it was primarily because of the contrast between all those crosses and the one cross they represented.

THE ULTIMATE FREEDOM – What is the Cross behind the crosses? As I looked at all those crosses, I couldn’t help but think of what the Cross symbolized, and what it means to me personally. What is the significance of the cross?

    When Jesus Christ died upon the cross, He defeated Satan, thus liberating us from Satan’s dominion of sin and death. Satan, as the God of this world, is the architect of war. He, who was a murderer from the beginning, has come to steal, kill, and destroy all humanity. But Jesus Christ came so that we might have an abundant life (John 10:10). Upon receiving Christ, we are made free and alive by His life that now dwells within us. Hallelujah for new life in Christ!

    Thank You, Lord Jesus, for making the supreme sacrifice for our eternal freedom. And thank You, Lord, for all those brave men and women in the US Military who have sacrificed their lives for our human freedoms.

MAY THEIR SACRIFICE NOT BE IN VAIN – Today, in America, we enjoy the benefits of the great sacrifice of our fallen soldiers. Therefore, we should do whatever we can to ensure that those American soldiers did not die in vain! Furthermore, we should all endeavor to preserve, uphold, and cherish the freedoms, values, and privileges that these brave men and women have preserved for us through their sacrifice.

    But remember, it was not just their sacrifice, but the sacrifices of the families who lost loved ones. For them, the sorrows of war live on. I saw this personally because my uncle Billy, a US Marine, was killed while fighting in the Pacific during World War II. My Grandmother, my mother and the family carried the grief of his death their entire life. War is always a very sad and sobering time for everyone involved. Yes, we celebrate the victories won, but we should also mourn and pray for the families who have lost loved ones.

GRATEFUL REMEMBRANCE – May we all come together as “one nation under God” to remember with grateful hearts the military personnel who have died for this country. We have much to remember, and much for which to be thankful. We can enjoy this great country today because of the many military personnel who DIED in defense of the USA.

    We should take time to express our gratitude to God on behalf of those who have made our freedom possible. And, of course, be mindful and prayerful of our military who are currently putting themselves in harm’s way to defend this country. As they continue to sacrifice their physical lives, please pray that they might have Spiritual Life through our Lord Jesus Christ.

    Thank God for those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom. And thank God for the ONE who died for all, that we might be free indeed . . . free to walk in newness of life because of Jesus Christ the Lord! And let us pray that our national motto, “In God we trust,” would become a reality for all the citizens of this great country!

    On this Memorial Day, we can all be encouraged by the words of the Lord Jesus, “These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NASB).

God bless the USA!!!

Dr. Lewis Gregory © 2026