On this Memorial Day, let me first share a personal memory, in honor of my father, Frank Cottingham, and his youngest brother, Johnny. I wrote on Bluesky this morning, in response to a very nice post by Adam Kinzinger about Memorial Day, about remembering those who gave their last full measure, and that the day isn’t just about hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill:
“Thank you Adam. I remember my father’s youngest brother, Johnny, only 20 when a sniper killed him while walking point on patrol in Vietnam. A poor kid who wasn’t a “fortunate son” wouldn’t have used connections even if he had them. I also remember how my father cried when he told my brother and me.”
I’m not someone who ever tells anyone what to believe spiritually, but I want to share Reverend Doug Bottorff’s kind preaching on this Memorial Day. His unique insights have changed my perspective on death and life.