I think I cry on the 4th of July and Memorial Day more often than I cry at weddings and sappy movies! When “America the Beautiful”, “God Bless America” or “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” are played I swell with gratefulness and patriotism.

When I consider the soldiers separated from their families, enduring great hardship in hostile lands, and fighting for our freedom, my eyes well up with tears.

I’ve walked many a cemetery honoring our heroes on Memorial Day. I’ve stood reverently as Taps was played by a lone bugle player.

My family has gazed heavenward at the brilliant display of fireworks lit to honor our armed services. With each sonic blast and burst of light, my mind has raced back to places like Bunker Hill, Gettysberg and Normandy. When I consider the valor and commitment of our veterans, my eyes moisten from the reality that I should be no less than humbly grateful.

You can probably relate to the emotions I’ve described because you too are an American. But, you may not be an American reading this. So, I hope you have another reason – an even better reason – to celebrate and be grateful today. You can celebrate your freedom in Christ. I hope your eyes well up with tears of gratefulness as you look to the Heavens and honor the One who bought it for you. We all have so much to thank God for.

Anyway, for this Memorial Day, I thought I would give you my top 5 quotes to inspire your patriotism and give you 5 more reasons to be grateful!

1. “With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan-to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.” Abraham Lincoln

2. “… ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” John F. Kennedy

3. “Patriotism is easy to understand in America; it means looking out for yourself by looking out for your country.” Calvin Coolidge

4. “A man’s country is not a certain area of land, of mountains, rivers, and woods, but it is a principle; and patriotism is loyalty to that principle.” George William Curtis

5. “These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.” Thomas Paine

I know I said “Top 5”, but I just had to throw in one more from Benjamin Franklin to make you chuckle… “Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote!”

Happy Memorial Day! Deepest thanks to our armed services and our veterans. God bless America… and God bless you dear one.

If you have a loved one serving our country right now, please leave his or her name below so all of us who see it can pray for him or her… and you.