On this Memorial Day, we remember. Not only the fallen, but the faithful. Not only the warriors, but the witnesses. Those who sacrificed—not for sacrifice’s sake—but for something far greater: a vision, a nation, a legacy under God’s providence.
Psalm 116:15
"Precious in the eyes of the LORD is the death of his faithful ones."
Ours is a country unlike any other in history. Not perfect, but providential. Birthed not merely by human ambition, but by a divine hand guiding pilgrims across oceans, pressing through forests, enduring fires, physical and spiritual, to build a land where faith could flourish. A land where liberty, rightly ordered, could echo heaven’s call to live free in truth.
For me, this remembrance is deeply personal. It’s not just a reflection of my conversion to the faith, but rather, a homecoming, a return to roots planted long before I was born.
In 1632, Catholic settlers boarded The Ark and The Dove, sailing to Maryland to build a new life under the mantle of Our Lady. Among them were my spiritual ancestors, who carried with them the sacred Mass, the Rosary, and the courage to believe. They were the first parishioners of the land that would soon become the first American diocese, shepherded by Bishop John Carroll, himself cousin to Charles Carroll, the lone Catholic signer of the Declaration of Independence.
They endured persecution, lost their land in Maryland during the Puritan Revolution, yet remained steadfast—founding new parishes across wild frontiers, from West Virginia to the earliest Catholic mission in Louisville. In doing so, they bore witness that the Catholic faith is not foreign to America; it is foundational to it.
On the battlefields of our nation’s birth, they fought not only for independence but for inheritance. My fifth great-grandfather, Thomas Gaines, stood with Hamilton at Yorktown. My sixth great-grandfather, David Niles, gave his life at the Battle of White Plains under General Washington. Their blood runs through this soil, and through my veins, not for the sake of conquest, but covenant. A covenant built on the belief that freedom comes with responsibility, and responsibility finds its strength in faith.
This legacy didn’t end with the Revolution. It lived on in simpler, quieter acts of sacrifice. My grandfather, a sharecropper, sold the only mule he owned so my father could buy a car and claim a college scholarship. That one humble act—a father’s love, a laborer’s faith—changed our family tree. It opened doors, lifted burdens, and bore fruit that still grows.
Today, my parents are gone. But their love remains—unconditional, enduring, eternal. Just like the love of all those who came before us. Whether they lay in rest beneath the battlefield crosses of France or the prairie winds and wheatfields of Kansas, their sacrifices whisper the same truth: we are here because they were willing to give everything.
Deuteronomy 32:7
"Remember the days of old, consider the years of generations past. Ask your father, he will inform you, your elders, they will tell you."
So let us not take this moment lightly. Let us remember them, not with empty nostalgia, but with deep gratitude and renewed purpose. Let us build again, with courage and conviction, a nation worthy of their memory. A nation under God.
And in all things, let us give glory to Him who placed us here, in this land, at this time, for this purpose. To love, to serve, and to carry the legacy forward.
May we never forget, and may we always give thanks.
John 15:13
"No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends."
Welcome to the St Michael’s Group! In a world facing a decline in religious belief and an increase in moral confusion, the need to reignite our faith has never been more critical. Religion’s capacity to offer meaning, foster ethical behavior, and build cohesive communities is vital for countering the spread of spiritual apathy and the influence of evil. By renewing our commitment to faith, we can combat the forces that seek to divide and weaken us. Reigniting our faith lives, therefore, is not just a personal endeavor but a collective responsibility. It is essential for preserving the moral and spiritual fabric of our society, ensuring that love, compassion, and justice continue to be the guiding principles of human existence.
This is why I started the St. Michael’s Group Substack and Podcast. Join us today stmichaelsgroup.substack.com and let’s start a movement of reigniting faith, family, and formation back into our lives.
This is Dr. Currie Myers. I am an applied criminologist and criminal justice ethicist. I have been on faculty in the criminology department at Benedictine College for over 13 years and was a career law enforcement officer for 24 years. Most importantly I have a beautiful family. My wife and I have been married for 37 years, and we have five children and 10 grandchildren. You can view my work on applied criminology at drcurriemyers.substack.com. Have a great and blessed week and please subscribe and share this podcast with others. And more importantly, if you are struggling in life and need someone to talk to, we have a chat function that you can contact me directly. And if you wish for me to speak at one of your events, please contact (catholicspeakers.com) to schedule.
If this episode moved you, I invite you to share it with someone you love. Let this be a holy conversation starter. And if you haven’t already, spend time in front of the Cross this weekend. Not to look at it, but to be changed by it.
Thanks for joining me! Stay rooted in faith, sharpened by virtue, and courageous in truth. God bless you, and I’ll see you next time on The St. Michael’s Group Podcast.
Dr Currie Myers, America's Criminologist - Former Agonistic turned Convert to the Catholic Faith. Dr. Myers is a published author and speaker. Contact (catholicspeakers.com) for Dr. Myers to speak at your event!
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