A Voice for the Fallen
Bret Gibbs
Memorial Day 2011
Memorial Day. Observed the last Monday of each May, it was originally designated as a day to remember fallen soldiers from the American Civil War. Initially known as Decorations Day, it has evolved to commemorate those service members who have fallen during military service to the United States.
Memorial Day was always just another holiday to me. Wasn’t it that holiday where we remembered those old guys who lost their life fighting Hitler back in WWII? A long 3 day weekend? BBQ and beverages with friends? Well, like many others, I did not really reflect back on Memorial Day as was originally intended by those who conceived the idea. Instead of reflecting on our war dead that fought to acquire and protect my freedoms – I reflected more on where I would be spending my 3 day weekend and what activities I had planned for that weekend. That is until a life-changing event showed me firsthand the true meaning of Memorial Day.
I lost my big brother, Sgt. 1st Class Todd C. Gibbs, on Dec. 7, 2004, in Iraq. Many of you reading this will recognize the significance of Dec. 7 as the day Pearl Harbor was attacked – another day in American history whose lessons and sacrifice we must never forget. Like so many of our other young men and women who have lost their lives during the War on Terror, Todd lost his life when he was killed by an Improvised Explosive Device – also known as an IED. Todd had been out on patrol just 2 days after losing his best friend in the unit from a similar cowardly device. Ironically, he would also lose his life trying to root out the evil that had planted those devices. When asked by a member of his unit why he was getting out of the humvee on that fateful day, he said he wanted to find the guys that were planting these devices so no other soldiers in his unit or in his area would have to die. Todd died doing what he did best in life – putting others in front of himself. As the Bible tells us in John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends”. Todd’s final act on Earth was to make the world a safer place for his family, his friends and for people who would never know him and know of his personal sacrifice.
Through the loss and sadness of losing my big brother, I grew not only as a person but as a Christian. I watched our hometown of Lufkin, TX, and friends and family all over the world rally around us in a time of need. I watched the soldier who accompanied Todd’s body home as he showed ultimate respect to Todd and our flag and how we as Americans should never sit quietly by and let others disrespect our flag – a symbol of hope and freedom that so many have died for over the years. I watched the grief of his young wife and his young children – one of which who so young that he will only know his Dad through pictures and stories. And I watched a Mother who buried her husband while in her 30s and now had to bury her 37 year old son show me what true Faith was all about by growing stronger in her Faith in a time of such great loss.
Memorial Day took on a new meaning for me. I of course think about my brother especially on this day but he is just one of many that gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Yes, Todd would want all of us to remember not only his sacrifice but of everyone who laid down his or her life in service to their country. Those who lost their life giving birth to our great nation. The countless soldiers who died during the Civil War – the war that pit brother against brother. Those who died during WWI – also known as the Great War. The war that defined The Greatest Generation – World War II. All those lost in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and all other places where Americans have stood and died to protect our way of life and others who don’t know the sweet taste of freedom. Everyone has either a friend or family member who lost their life in service to their country at some point in their family history. While those we have lost no longer have a voice, we have the opportunity to be that voice for them. Where they have fallen, we can pick up and carry forward their memory and all the great things they stood for in their life.
Nothing will replace these brave men and women and the void they leave behind with their families and friends. However, there is so much each and every one of us can do to keep their memories alive and voices heard. Be there for the fallen soldier’s family – especially the children. Keep their daddy or mommy’s memory alive through stories and pictures. Honor the memory of a fallen soldier by helping those currently serving – both the soldier and the soldier’s family who faces hardships while their loved ones are away. Shake the hand of a veteran and thank them for their service. Create a lasting memorial that will carry the name and legacy of someone who gave their life in service to their country. I started a memorial scholarship in honor of Todd at Todd’s alma mater of Sam Houston State University to continue his legacy of giving to others. I’m also proud that my son – Colton Todd Gibbs – carries Todd’s name as a legacy to his warrior uncle. Stand up for the national anthem, remove your hat, hold your hand over your heart, and remember all the sacrifices made by our military through the years. And don’t forget that we are one nation – UNDER GOD – a nation that was blessed by God because we have chosen to follow the path that He has laid before us. It’s only through Him that we will continue to prosper and be a beacon of hope for humanity.
So on this Memorial Day, spend time with family and friends. Burn some of your favorite meat on the grill. I know Todd would want you to take some time off and spend it with your loved ones. Enjoy that well deserved three day weekend. But I ask you to take a few minutes out of your weekend – away from the activities of the day. Say a prayer for our fallen soldiers and their families and thank God for their ultimate sacrifice. Pray for the blessing and protection of those currently serving. Raise a glass and toast all of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice and vow that their sacrifice will not be in vain. Be a good Christian, a good neighbor and a good citizen of the greatest nation this Earth has ever known. Celebrate our freedom that was borne of the sacrifices of so many through the years. And continue to be a voice for the fallen by carrying on the memories and legacies of those who gave everything so we can continue to be a free nation and beacon of hope in this world.
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