Thank You!

Therefore, we are strong in the Lord and in His might. Ephesians 6:10

This coming Saturday is Veteran’s Day. This is a day that is set apart to remember, celebrate, and honor those veterans who have sacrificed so much for this country. It seems to me that in order to celebrate it properly, we should first have a better knowledge of how we define a veteran. The dictionary describes a veteran as; someone who has extensive experience in some field, and /or someone who has served in our nation’s military. It is safe to assume, I believe, that any one who has served in our nation’s military has had extensive experience in some field.

In the midst of all the atrocities happening around us, we are reminded again of the fact that nothing good is found during a war. However, as much as we hate wars, we are forever grateful to the men and women who were and are willing to go into the awful places, be totally apart from their loved ones, and to fight and even die for those left at home.

My senior year in high school, our small town was brought to its knees by the death of two of our hometown boys. One of them was killed in action in Viet Nam, and the other was declared MIA. My grandmother owned a hair salon downtown, and I was working there the day a black car pulled up on the street and two soldiers in uniform got out. They walked solemnly to the other hair salon two doors down and emerged with the wife of our friend who was killed. It was the most sobering thing I have ever witnessed to see first hand the heartbreak of war and how much our military and their families sacrifice. Our friend who was MIA was declared dead several years later. Their family endured years of praying that he would be returned to them.

After the Civil War, General Sherman gave the commencement address at a military academy in Michigan. In that speech he said, “War is hell.” Later in a newspaper article he repeated that, and he added, “and thank God soldiers are from heaven.” That is why we set aside a day to honor them for their great service and just to say “Thank You” for keeping us free.

There are veterans among us who have been in wars in some terrible places, endured injuries both physical, mental, and emotional, been prisoners of war, but who love this nation and have sacrificed mightly for others. What kind of person does this?

Throughout history, from the Founding Fathers of this country until this day, we have those who refused to give in to tyranny. They stood up and fought for freedom. Every generation since that time has fought their own battle against evil and tyranny to preserve freedom.

Just as soldiers through the ages have left their homes and loved ones so that we could enjoy freedom, there was another who did the same. His name was Jesus Christ. In John 15:13 Jesus says, “There is no greater love than laying down one’s life for a friend.” I believe that verse describes a veteran very well. He or she may not like doing so, and certainly doesn’t look forward to it, but is willing to lay down their own life to save another if the situation demands it. Our veterans have given us so much, but I think the most precious gift of all is that they have given this country and all Americans a piece of themselves. How can that not be honored and appreciated?

I am very honored to be an American citizen living in the land of the free provided by those who were brave. So as we celebrate this Veterans Day, let’s give our veterans what they need and what they deserve; our remembrance and thanks for what they have done, our encouragement, and our respect. As the Apostle Paul said, “I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you for your faith is being reported all over the world.” Romans 1:8

Thank You!