CHAPTER 1

What Do These Stones Mean?

Joshua 4:19-24

When the Israelites finally crossed the Jordan River into the PromisedLand, something very special took place that called for a remembrancefor generations to come. Forty years of wandering in the wildernesswas over, and it was time to enter into the Promised Land. But the pastmust not be forgotten! God told the leaders of Israel to pile stones as amemorial for generations to come.

It has been said that stones have no voice, but I want to tell you thatstones do have a voice. Stones with and without inscriptions speak tous today.

When we go to a cemetery and look at the memorial stones, they tellus who is buried there. There is the date of birth and the date of death.Sometimes, there are other words written on the stone. Beloved Mother.Greatest Dad. Loving daughter. Precious son. A stone can tell of heroism,of love, of devotion. Stone monuments usually outlive the people whoerect them. They keep memories alive long after the original playershave left the scene. Stones speak to us today.

I would like to share a true story about a monument in another countrythat has inscribed upon it the words, "We will not forget to remember."

A minister friend of mine wrote an article in a newsletter. He and hisdaughter were visiting Edinburgh Castle in Scotland on a wintry Novemberday. Rain was falling and the sheer dominance of the medieval fortress inthe heart of the city inspired visions of past glory. Mr. Rachels said it was asobering walk through its treasures to be connected to its history.

He and his daughter ventured off into the "War Memorial Rooms,"where for a little extra money they got the privilege of seeing some ofScotland's glory and were able to feel a part of her hallowed past.

Around the main War Room walls were chiseled a multitude of imagesin sculptured bronze, all soldiers, nurses, workers and loyal compatriotsof the land whose lives were memorialized.

On tables along the walls were books upon books showing the names ofindividuals, their hometowns and their regiments. Details and locationsof their exploits were inscribed beside their names for anyone to read.

Their names were so thoroughly explored in the great memorial hallthat my friend was overwhelmed by their significance. But he wasunprepared for the simple eloquence of the next room. In its centerwas a large altar bearing the inscription, "Their Name Liveth." Etchedinto the walls was the revelation: "Others also there are who perishedunknown. Their sacrifice is not forgotten and their names, though lostto us, are written in the books of God."

The BBC-TV cameras and commentary focused on stories of war'sagony and ecstasy, people and events and the courage that shaped anation's conscience. Churches paused during Sunday services observingtwo minutes of silence. The phrase, "That their sacrifice not be in vain,nor their valor forgotten," was heralded on every street corner.

These are the people who gave everything, especially during the SecondWorld War when their island home was the target of an enemy's mercilessbombing. Survival was the issue—a national emergency—and onRemembrance Day, the people have decided not to forget, nor allow theirchildren to forget, though they did not see the battles nor feel the fire.

In other words, if each generation is to remember special events of thepast, we must teach them to our children. Mothers and fathers must takethe time to remind them of those treasures of truth.

It is easy to forget, to fail to put a right value on past sacrifices. OurWorld War II generation is fast leaving us, and that is another goodreason for us to remind our sons and daughters, our grandchildren andgreat-grandchildren, that the great generation who fought with us in theservice of our country shall not have died in vain. We are proud to becalled United States Marines. We are proud to have served in the SecondMarine Division. We are the best!

During World War II, Rabbi Roland B. Gittelsohn was attending amemorial service at a cemetery in the Pacific. Among several thingsthat he said was, "Somewhere in this plot of ground there may lie theman who could have discovered the cure for cancer. Under one ofthese Christian crosses, or beneath a Jewish Star of David, there may restnow a man who was destined to be a great prophet—to find the way,perhaps, for all to live in plenty, with poverty and hardship for none." Themonuments reflected the wise words of the chaplain.

The true story is told of the military recruiters who visited a local highschool. Each recruiter was given 15 minutes to speak in the hour-longassembly. The first recruiter, representing the Army, spoke five minutesover his 15-minute allotment. He went on about the rewards and joysof the Army. Immediately following him, the Navy recruiter spoke. Healso exceeded his time limit by five minutes. The Air Force recruiterdid the same thing, speaking five minutes longer than the allotted time.How many minutes were left for the Marines? Zero! The high schoolprincipal apologized to the Marine recruiter, saying, "We don't have anytime left, but in honor of the Marines and your coming to our school,can you make a short presentation, possibly in two minutes?"

The Marine replied, "I only need a minute." He didn't say a word. Straightfaced, he walked down the aisles with a look only the...