Moment of Rememberance

Tomorrow is Memorial Day in the United States. It is the day set aside to remember those who have died for our country. This, of course, is still occurring every day. Men and women die for our country (and others) daily. No matter what you may think of the politics of the conflict, these young people are sacrificing their lives for us and for others around the world.



I think most Americans do not realize (I didn't until a mother who lost her son in Iraq pointed it out) that the Congress has established a National Moment of Rememberance, to take place at 3pm, local time, on Memorial Day. Here is the explanation from the website:



The National Moment of Remembrance, established by Congress, asks Americans wherever they are at 3 p.m., local time, on Memorial Day to pause in an act of national unity (duration: one minute).The time 3 p.m. was chosen because it is the time when most Americans are enjoying their freedoms on the national holiday. The Moment does not replace traditional Memorial Day events; rather it is an act of national unity in which all Americans, alone or with family and friends, honor those who died for our freedom. It will help to reclaim Memorial Day as the sacred and noble holiday it was meant to be. In this shared remembrance, we connect as Americans.



Perhaps, not coincidentally, 3pm is also the "hour of mercy" as told by Jesus to Saint Faustina Kowalska, because it is the hour in which our Savior died for us.



So, on this Memorial Day, pause at 3pm to say a prayer for all those who have given their lives for our country, and for those who survive to mourn them.