A Memorial Day Reflection
Sunday at Victory Baptist Church here in Weatherford, TX, I was part of a moment I won’t soon forget.
During the Memorial Day service, the pastor asked something I’d never heard phrased quite this way: “If you have a family member who gave their life in service to our country, would you please stand?” I’ve stood before to honor the fallen, like many of you have. But this time… it was personal.
I stood for Staff Sgt. Benito Diaz Jr., the hero I’m named after.
He gave his life for this country. And in that moment—standing in that quiet church surrounded by others doing the same—his sacrifice hit me in a fresh way.
We toss around phrases like “ultimate sacrifice,” but let’s not forget what that actually means. It means someone left home and didn’t come back. It means a folded flag handed to a grieving family. It means birthdays missed, futures surrendered, and a love that laid down everything for someone else.
Jesus said it best:
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” – John 15:13
That verse has been quoted often on days like today, and rightfully so. But let’s not rush past it. That kind of love isn’t normal. It’s not selfish. It’s not conditional. It’s the kind of love that reflects the heart of God Himself.
So today, I’m thankful. Thankful for a church that honors our fallen heroes. Thankful for the families still carrying the weight of that loss. And thankful for the freedom we so easily take for granted—because somebody else paid for it.
This Memorial Day, don’t just grill the burgers and wave the flag.
- Say a prayer for a Gold Star family.
- Reach out to a veteran.
- Teach your kids what this day actually means.
And if you stood this weekend like I did, I just want to say: thank you. You carry a name and a memory that matters.
Let’s live in a way that honors those who never came home.
