Veterans Day originated as “Armistice Day” on Nov. 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and Nov. 11 became a national holiday beginning in 1938.
Veterans Day is not to be confused with Memorial Day–a common misunderstanding, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Memorial Day (the fourth Monday in May) honors American service members who died in service to their country or as a result of injuries incurred during battle, while Veterans Day pays tribute to all American veterans–living or dead–but especially gives thanks to living veterans who served their country honorably during war or peacetime.
Today, we pause to offer our prayers for all our soldiers, living or dead.
Jesus tells us there is no greater love than to sacrifice one's life for a friend. He not only says the words but gives us the most wonderful example in His own Passion and Death for our welfare and salvation.
Our citizen-soldiers freely put themselves in harm's way to protect all of us and our way of life. Some do so in peacetime. Other's in time of war. Some return home safe and sound to their loved ones and families. Other's return wounded and scarred by the terrors of warfare. Still other never return. Each in his or her way are icons of fidelity and bravery.
It is fitting today that our country remember our Veterans for their honorable service to our country. May the Lord bless those who have served and those serving, those who have returned and those who have fallen in battle.
We have a moral obligation to care for our Veterans, especially those who have been wounded both in body and in mind. The stories reported about the lack of such care should disturb us greatly. We show our gratitude and devotion to our Veterans in a tangible way by insisting that government agencies charged with their care do so responsibly and with dignity.
On this Veterans' Day, let us lift our voices to the Lord and ask His blessings upon them.
Lord, protect those in far off and dangerous places around the world. Lord, bless them, give them safe tours of duty and allow them to return home whole in body and spirit.
Lord, bless those who have offered their service in times past. Assure them that they are not forgotten.
Dear Heavenly Father, receive into Heaven those who have died to protect us from harm and oppression.
And most especially, Lord, grant our world peace so that no son or daughter, no father or mother, will ever again have to lay down their lives in battle.
Thank you, Veterans, for your loyalty to our country. You are the truest patriots. We will always remember you and be grateful.
God bless you and God bless America always.
No comments:
Post a Comment