The Jerusalem Post reported yesterday (5/7/2024) that Anti-Israel activists burned a U.S. flag, and vandalized WWI and Civil War memorials during the “New York City Day of Rage” protest which coincided with Israel’s Holocaust Remembrance Day on Monday.
Central Park’s 107th Infantry Memorial was desecrated with stickers and graffiti proclaiming “free Gaza” or “free Palestine,” according to photographs published by New York Police Department’s Deputy Commissioner of Operations, Kaz Daughtry. The statue was also tagged with a red triangle, a symbol used in Hamas propaganda to denote a target. A protester also set the U.S. flag at the base of the statue on fire, according to the New York Post.
The Grand Army Plaza Sherman Memorial honoring Union General William Tecumseh Sherman was also vandalized with similar graffiti as the infantry memorial, including graffiti reading “NYPD equals KKK” [Ku Klux Klan].
The Jerusalem Post article may be read in full HERE.
My brothers and sisters, it was striking to this writer that during a review of U.S. mainstream news articles last night, the story about the defaced memorials was highlighted on The Jerusalem Post’s website, but major U.S. news outlets either didn’t cover the story or buried it.
Denying, rewriting or hatefully destroying history and the memorials put in place to assure that future generations would never forget the sins of the past and to bring honor to those who served and stood against evil (e.g., our nation’s military veterans), should not be allowed to be destroyed! This should be offensive to our sensibilities and does not represent wisdom.
It seems, tragically, that having pride (not to the point of idolatry) in America continues to be discouraged, either overtly or by omission. Politics is, or can easily become, the
“playground of the devil” when we forget to seek the truth about history and we forget the incredible goodness and blessing God has shown upon this nation since its establishment. This should never be taken for granted.
As Christians, let’s continue to pray steadfastly against the evil one’s influence in our nation and the minds of our children, including the dramatic impact within our colleges and universities, which are being targeted and used by those who would support terrorism and antisemitism.
The defacement and foul language placed upon U.S. memorials is a symptom of evil which needs to be purged from our hearts and replaced with trust in God. Never forget that salvation comes only through faith in Jesus Christ!
Let’s consider what the scriptures have to say about God’s blessing upon our nation, ourselves, and how we should best respond to during trying times:
Psalm 33:12 (KJV)
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom [H]e hath chosen for [H]is own inheritance.”
Psalm 112:1 (NKJV)
“Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, [w]ho delights greatly in His commandments.”
Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Praise Jesus forevermore!
