In the opening scene of Spielberg’s “Saving Private Ryan,” an old man walks through the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, France, which is located near Omaha Beach. He walks ahead of his family who follow at a distance, slightly bewildered at the man’s seriousness and distraught expression.
At the end of the movie we learn that this man is, in fact, Private James Francis Ryan whom Captain John Miller, played by Tom Hanks, and his small company of U.S. Army soldiers were tasked with finding and bringing safely back to Allied-controlled territory. Now, more than fifty years later, he has made the journey to France with his wife, children and grand-children in tow, to pay his respects to Captain Miller at this somber memorial.
The elderly Ryan is emotional and falls to his knees at Miller’s grave. He whispers to Captain Miller: “Every day, I think of what you said to me that day on the bridge. I’ve tried to live my life the best that I could. I hope that, at least in your eyes, I’ve earned what all of you have done for me.” Ryan clearly understands the sacrifice that Capt. Miller, Sergeant Horvath, and the other members of their small platoon who searched for him in the French country-side in 1944 made— so that he might be saved, get married, have children, and live his life into his seventies.
For me, this scene epitomizes how all of us in America should act and feel on the U.S. Memorial Day holiday.
As a proud parent of a Naval aviator-in-training, the son-in-law of a retired 3-star Admiral, and the father-in-law of an active-duty Army National Guardsman, I’m more in awe today than I was earlier in my life at what so many have done for those of us who get to take for granted the freedoms we have in this flawed but great county known as the United States of America.
On Memorial Day, as you’re barbecuing, spending time with family, taking advantage of a retailer's sale, or maybe going to see a movie, take a moment to remember the hundreds of thousands of U.S. servicemen and women who lost their lives in service to their country. Let us count ourselves blessed by their sacrificial acts of love. They died so that we might be free.
Jesus said: There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for your friends. (John 15:13)
Suggested YouTube videos to watch on Memorial Day:
Hymn to the Fallen - Musikkapelle Toblach (6 min 58 seconds)
Taking Chance. A Memorial Day Tribute (5 min 40 seconds)
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