Remembering the Brave

Memorial Day on May 30 serves as a time to honor those who lost their lives while fighting in the U.S. Armed Forces. It’s a holiday steeped in somber American history and tradition and a day to remember the heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and our freedoms.

Below is an excerpt from True Father’s 1974 speech, “America in God’s Providence,” in which he shares about the critical role of the U.S. in the salvation of humanity and ushering in a world of lasting peace.

Excerpt:

America's founders who came to this land about 200 years ago came for the love of God and for religious freedom. This is the founding spirit of this nation. In this sense, America is unique in all the world. This is the nation with the prestige and pride of claiming the title, "One Nation Under God."

You have already said that America is to be one nation centered upon God. But in order to become one nation under God, the individuals in this nation must be centered upon God, the families must be centered upon God, the society and the nation as a whole must be centered upon God. In other words, every phase of the life of this nation has to be God-centered.

America has accomplished a great deal, and has indeed tried very hard to live up to the responsibility to be one nation under God. The remarkable history of America and the abundant blessings she has received are proof of that.

America is also unique in another sense: People of all the different races, colors and nationalities come to this country to make one great nation together. Once America truly lives up to the motto of "one nation under God," then this will be the nation with the capacity and potential to influence the rest of the world, to bring the whole world together united under God.

I do not believe that God has chosen America to be one nation under God solely for America's sake. On the contrary, this nation has been chosen to be a champion of the people of the whole world. Therefore, all mankind is looking to the American people to be the champions of the world. I believe that God has blessed America in every respect–particularly in abundant wealth–not for America's sake, but for God's sake, so that He can bring His message and His nation to the entire world.

My heart was deeply touched when I first came to America, when I looked at your dollar bill and found the inscription, "In God We Trust." No other money in the world would say that. But you say it, and you entrust that money for the purpose of God.

America must realize that God has blessed this nation to fulfill His ultimate goal, which is the salvation of the entire world, not just for America. So America has a great responsibility. God's blessing never comes without a responsibility. America's responsibility is to get involved with the rest of the world, to bring all nations into that one nation under God.