Memorial Day 2026: Wars & Luxuries

From my apartment, safe from bombs and bullets, I'm able to disapprove of America's current military involvement against Iran. But the men and women who volunteer for service in the United States Armed Forces don't have such luxuries - neither the luxury of safety, nor the luxury of opting out of a conflict that doesn't align with their personal views, and maybe fighting in a later one that does. 

It would be ridiculous to think the soldiers who serve in America's wars have no opinions or feelings about the merits of these operations, positive or negative. This is one of the things that makes the job they've taken so difficult: they carry out their duties regardless of their own sociopolitical stances on the who, what, where and how - and especially the why - of any given mission.

They don't have the luxury I do, but protecting my luxury was among the things they vowed to do when they enlisted in the US military. Whether the current operation against Iran is of any consequence to my freedom is up to you and I to debate - which is, again, a luxury you and I have that the soldiers who fight these wars don't.

This Memorial Day it seems proper to list - and remember - the names of the thirteen known casualties of this current conflict. May they rest in peace. Their duty is done. Our duty now - we who debate and decide if it was all raving madness or righteous might - is to remember them, to never let their memory be obscured by battles of words.

Capt. Cody A. Khork, 35

Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens, 42 

Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor, 39

Sgt. Declan J. Coady, 20

Maj. Jeffrey O'Brien, 45

Chief Warrant Officer Robert M. Marzan, 54

Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington, 26

Maj. John A. Klinner, 33

Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31

Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34

Capt. Seth R. Koval, 38

Capt. Curtis J. Angst, 30

Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, 28

Photo by Elizabeth Fraser

Israel & End-Time Prophecy: A Word of Caution

There's a tendency among Christians of a certain demographic to fall into a state of panic or joyous delirium (or a mixture of the two) every time a major conflict erupts in the Middle East - which, by the way, is all the time - especially one concerning Israel - which, by the way, is all the time. Many believers have a knee-jerk reaction to any developments in this area of the world, citing them as a sign of the beginning of the end-times and the Second Coming of Jesus. 

A word of caution: if you're a Christian, no matter what you believe as it relates to eschatology, or the role Israel as a nation will play in the end times, one thing you must remember: God will never require you to approve of wrongdoing. This includes unprovoked attacks on other countries, the bombing or degrading of civilians and children, or the misuse and exploitation of the faith by political leaders of any country, be they Israeli or American, to justify - and seemingly be drunk on - going to war. 

There are many different views of the end-times within Christianity. Those that involve some role played by, or in, the Biblical holy land must keep in mind that prophecy does not work thusly: Christians have to do something, to take some action - be it politically, militarily or otherwise - to precipitate Jesus' return, or else He won't come back. This is not prophecy, but a strange attempt to force the return of Christ according to our own schedule.

In the meantime, until the heavens roll away like a scroll and Jesus does indeed return, another exhortation to my fellow believers - opposing Benjamin Netanyahu doesn't make you a bad Christian. The meaning of Genesis 12:3 is not "implicitly support the modern-day nation state of Israel." In the days recorded in Scripture, God's prophets fervently rebuked Israel's leaders for their wrongs. Support of a specific political power is not obedience to God: it's an idol. 

You're not disobeying Him by not sharing an I Stand With Israel post.

Until the end does come, focus on showing kindness, mercy, love, and sacrifice to those around you, to show them the love of our Savior.