“Most people will celebrate Nov. 11 with little thought about the significance of this national holiday…. In 1926, President Calvin Coolidge issued a Proclamation ‘inviting the people of the United States to observe November 11 in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples.’” - Baptist Press
“Before seeking medical care, LeClair performed his last ministerial duty in Vietnam, officiating a soldier’s funeral despite the intense pain.” - Baptist Press
(Repost from 2022)
A confession: Veterans Day is not a holiday that usually ranks high in my awareness. There’s no tradition of family gathering, no feasting, and almost no special decorations or merchandising. Most people don’t even get the day off.
So, these reflections are partly a kind of penance. I want to compensate a bit for my customary Veterans Day obliviousness—and maybe help a few others do the same.
When I give it some thought, reasons to be thankful for veterans come quickly to mind. These are just a few.
“Veterans Day honors all of those who have served the country in war or peace – dead or alive – though it’s mostly intended to thank living veterans for their service.” - C&C
“One of the most emotionally moving experiences of my life was touring Omaha Beach and other locations related to the Normandy landings during World War II.” - BPNews
Related…
Photo by Ian Hutchinson on Unsplash.
The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the Veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation. — George Washington
“As I think back, the one great lesson I learned from my father is that regardless of the work that God has called each of us to do, we must all put our hands on the plow, and not look back at our mistakes and shortcomings. Instead, we should look forward, ‘fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith’ ” - IFWE
“General Roger Brady (USAF, Ret.) thinks soldiers are becoming more religious but the armed forces are more uncertain about religious expression.” - CToday
