250 Years Purchased with Honor and Valor
Photo image courtesy Pixabay
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. – Matthew 23:12 (ESV)
Happy Birthday, America! This year we celebrate 250 years as a nation. But we would have nothing to celebrate were it not for the honor and valor of our veterans.
Medal of Honor recipients are service men and women who have served beyond the call of duty. As of April 2026, Medal of Honor recipients were announced or awarded to:
Elmer Royce Williams. During the Korean War, he served as a Navy fighter pilot who engaged and fought off seven Soviet-built MiG-15 jets. He protected a U. S. reconnaissance plane even though he had run low on fuel and ammunition. He is the last living Medal of Honor recipient of the Korean War.
Eric Slover. During 2020s military operations, he risked his life under enemy fire to protect his fellow soldiers and repeatedly faced danger to rescue and evacuate wounded teammates.
Terry P. Richardson. During the Vietnam War he led his unit under heavy enemy attack and continued fighting even though wounded. He defended his fellow soldiers and held his position even though he put himself in harm’s way.
Michael H. Ollis (posthumous recognition). During the war in Afghanistan, he charged toward a suicide bomber that threatened coalition forces. He also shielded a Polish officer with his body and gave his life so the other soldier was spared.
Roderick W. Edmonds (posthumous recognition). As a prisoner of war during World War II, he was ordered by his Nazi captors to identify Jewish soldiers. Instead, he told all prisoners to stand in one group and so protected the Jewish soldiers from execution.
My father, Daniel Smeltz, fought in the trenches of France during World War I. He was there when a runner announced that an armistice had been signed to go into effect at 11 a.m. All morning he heard bombs exploding, but at 11 a.m., all was quiet. The war had ended. He had survived the war to come home, marry, and raise five children. As long as he was physically able, he marched in Memorial Day parades and always became emotional as he put on his American Legion hat to march.
My brother Robert Smeltz served in the States during World War II. My brother Russell Smeltz served in France during the Korean War. And my husband, William Brosius, served as a radar repairman in Europe from 1954 to 1957, during the Cold War years.
Memorial Day originated after the Civil War when people honored fallen soldiers by decorating their graves with flowers. General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic officially proclaimed Decoration Day, which was first observed on May 30, 1868 at Arlington National Cemetery. In 1971 Congress established Memorial Day on the last Monday in May as a federal holiday.
Plan to participate in the celebrations that might be held in your community or state on this 250th birthday of our nation. And thank the veterans you meet for their service. They all are honorable men and women who would show valor if the need arose.
Questions for Reflections:
1. Who among your family and friends has nobly served their country well? Reach out and thank them for their service this Memorial Day.
2. What are you most thankful for in regard to America celebrating its 250th Birthday this year?
