Greetings Patriotic Saints,
​At the funerals of many fallen U. S. military soldiers, a special ceremony is conducted. An American flag that drapes the coffin is folded thirteen times in a specific manner, then presented to a surviving family member. Thousands of spouses, sons, daughters, and others have received the beautiful American flag along with these words: “On behalf of the President of the United States, and a grateful nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one’s honorable and faithful service.”
​Today, one of these remembrance services may be taking place in your town.
“Grandma, what are the soldiers doing here in their dress-up uniforms? Do they know that Uncle Johnny was a soldier, too, so they came to his funeral?” “Yes, in a way. They are here to be a particular part of my son’s service.” “What are they going to do?” “Two of them will fold the American flag that’s on his coffin, then one of them will present the flag to me. And one of the soldiers is going to play the bugle.” “Is he going to play one of Uncle Johnny’s favorite songs?” “He will play the type of music that goes with this special kind of service. Listen, the service is starting!”
“Grandma, I did not know the soldier was going to play the bugle twice at Uncle Johnny’s funeral today. The first time he played, it sounded so sad. I saw a couple people crying. But the second time he played, people smiled and some people even laughed.” “Yes, I thought that might happen. John planned his funeral before he left for Korea with his military unit – just in case. He told me how he wanted his service done. Your uncle told me which hymns to include, which part of the Bible the Pastor should read, and he told me that he would like the bugler to play two melodies. The first one he played today is called Taps. The melody reminds people that our life on earth is short, and in time, our life on earth will end.” “That must be when the Pastor said, ‘James 4:14, For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.’” “Yes, honey, you are correct.” “What did Uncle Johnny want the Pastor to do next?”
“He wanted the Pastor to share a specific verse from the Bible and tell people what it means, because it would let people know where your uncle is now.”
“I think I know which verse that is: 2 Corinthians 5:8, ‘We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.’ I read it on the paper that was handed out. That’s when the Pastor told everyone how we can be confident, too, that we would be present in heaven with the Lord when everyone else is attending our funeral. He said that anyone can trust Jesus as their Savior if they agree with God that their life has not been perfect and they have done and said things that are wrong. And that anyone can tell God from their heart, ‘God, I’m sorry for the sins in my life. I know Jesus paid for each one when He died in my place and rose again. In Jesus’ name, Amen.’” “I must say, you were certainly listening well.” “Yes, I was. Then the Pastor read another verse that was on the paper. 1 Corinthians 15:52, ‘In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.’ That is when one of the dressed-up soldiers played the bugle, again. What did he play, Grandma, that made people smile?” “The second melody is called – Reveille. ‘It’s time to get up! It’s time to get up in the morning!’ My son, your Uncle Johnny, wanted everyone to know that it was a time of rejoicing because he had gotten up to go home and be with the Lord!” “Uncle Johnny sure is smart! Grandma, if you give me a bugle for my birthday, I will come over to your apartment after school every day and each weekend and practice and practice until I can play Reveille perfectly for you!” “You and a bugle!? I would be pushing up daisies in a week!”
​At the end of history, the last note for all Christian believers will not be the sad sound of Taps, but the rejoicing of Reveille! Are you ready for the trumpet sound? You can invite Jesus into your heart now. Tell Him, ‘Jesus, thank You for loving me. Thank You for paying for my sins when You died for me and rose again. Help me to live for You, as I await the trumpet sound. Amen’