Chris Pratt isn’t your typical celebrity. The man is an outspoken Christian and patriot — two things not found in abundance amid Hollywood elites.

And on Memorial Day, he commemorated America’s fallen heroes with a pair of social media posts.

The first Instagram entry offered somber observance:

“Today we pay tribute and remember all of the brave men and women who have laid down their lives in service of our nation. I urge you all to take a moment today [and] remember those who fought for us. #MemorialDay.”

His caption accompanied a photo of a funeral. In the image, a woman kneels, her prayerful hands clutching a casket just before its descent.

Later in the day, the Jurassic World star announced his completion of the “Murph Challenge,” a calisthenics and endurance fitness challenge that has raised over $1.8 million for the LT. Michael P. Murphy Memorial Scholarship Foundation.

From TheMurphChallenge.com:

May 7, 1976 – June 28, 2005

LT. Michael P. Murphy (SEAL) was the officer-in-charge of a four-man SEAL element in support of Operation Red Wings, tasked with finding a key anti-coalition militia commander near Asadabad, Afghanistan. Shortly after inserting into the objective area, the SEALs were spotted by three goat herders who were initially detained and then released. It is believed the goat herders immediately reported the SEALs’ presence to Taliban fighters.

A fierce gun battle ensued… Despite the intensity of the firefight and suffering grave gunshot wounds himself, Murphy is credited with risking his own life to save the lives of his teammates. Murphy…unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his own life moved into the open, where he could gain a better position to transmit a call to get help for his men.

Murph’s sacrifice is depicted in the terrific 2014 film Lone Survivor.

Alongside a fast-motion video of Chris doing pullups and other #MurphChallenge exercises, he saluted a sense of humor:

“Just completed this year’s #MurphChallenge. 15 seconds. Not my fastest time. #MemorialDay @murphchallenge @forgedclothing #TheMurphChallenge.”

At a time when many public figures are vilifying their ideological foes by way of vitriol, Chris seems decidedly focused on what matters — and helps — most.

In 2019, he launched an initiative to raise money for veterans with traumatic brain injuries. That same year, he took prominent part in the Daniel Fast, a 21-day commitment of prayer and fasting. And in 2020, he delivered the following news online:

“I’ve started a company, Indivisible Productions. One nation, under God, indivisible. Our mission statement is to create entertaining content, focusing on themes which will help to bridge the growing divide in our country and world. You know, make the world a better place.”

Most notable, perhaps, is his speech after winning the 2018 MTV Movie and TV Awards Generation Award. How often do the country’s most impressionable receive messages from celebrities such as this:

Chris is a rarity, indeed; but of course, there are others, too. As I covered Monday, devoted Catholic Mark Wahlberg — star of Lone Survivor — celebrated his son’s confirmation as he congratulated all young people pursuing a “relationship with the Lord.”

Both Chris and Mark appear to possess two traits sorely missing among, not just Hollywood, but America at large: humility and gratitude. And both of those are a perfect fit for the Memorial holiday.

-ALEX

See more content from me:

Christianity Takes Another Step: The Church of Scotland Approves Gay Marriage

Another One Bites the Dust: Goodbye, Dixie State University

San Francisco School Officials’ Attempt to Ban the Word ‘Chief’ Gets Foiled by a Faux Pas

Find all my RedState work here.

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