Unknown Headstone

The day before Memorial Day, my kids and their cub scouts troop along with the entire Aloha Council, placed flags and lei on the gravestones at Punchbowl Cemetery in preparation for the next day’s ceremony. It was a very touching and humbling opportunity to take the time to salute the fallen soldiers, thank them for their service, and say their name.

Ernest Hemingway is quoted, “Every man has two deaths, when he is buried in the ground and the last time someone says his name.”

What we learned on this day was that some headstones had no name, but simply the word “unknown” and if we were to come across one, to step back salute, and simply say “Thank you for your service.”

When my son found one, he was surprised to see that someone had left flowers for an “unknown.”

“Why would someone leave this person flowers if they don’t know who they are?” He asked.

It was a good and innocent question that reminds us that we may feel unknown and alone in this world, but not a single soul is unknown to God. A headstone may say "unknown” but He knows each one and loves us deeply.

Do you sometimes feel like a forgotten “unknown headstone”

A kind stranger may give you flowers from time to time to lift your spirits, but you can find eternal peace by piece in knowing our Heavenly Father and creator, knows everything about you and loves you!

“You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.” -Psalm 139:1-3