Memorial Day, not holy day

Memorial Day isn’t a church holy day. It’s a secular holiday that Christians and our congregations remember in prayer and gratitude.

But there is more we can do—especially now as U.S. soldiers return home from dangerous assignments in Iraq, Afghanistan and other trouble spots.

My concern is the underappreciated reality of post-traumatic stress syndrome and the psychological and physical injuries that our soldiers bring home with them. I’m concerned that our government—the Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs—adequately plan and develop programs for our soldiers’ successful re-entry into their communities. I worry about our government adequately financing and supporting agencies that seek our veterans’ total well-being. And I’m concerned about the support offered by our church-related social service and medical institutions.