Gracious Lord, we look forward to that day when the lion will lie down with the lamb and there will be war no more as we beat our swords into plows and take up your business of providing for every person who is in need.
Each fall a holiday passes by that seldom receives real notice any more. No, I am not talking of Columbus Day, although that, too, has become little more than an excuse for a creating a long weekend. It might be better refitted as Founders Day celebrating all who journeyed to this country and who helped to establish the colonies and the generations that have followed since then.
The holiday I am thinking of is Veterans Day. Yes, we still have a local parade but much of the emphasis of remembering veterans has been focused on Memorial Day when attention is meant to be given to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, dying in service. Veterans Day is something different. It remembers all who served, those who died but more than that all who put themselves in the service of the country. It is an important day to remember.
Among those who served are those who still bear the marks and wounds of that service physical and mental. I remember as a child the handmade paper and wire poppies that were made and sold by disabled veterans. The VFW Buddy Poppy came to the U. S. in 1922 and began being assembled by disabled veterans in 1923. They were inspired by the poem“In Flanders Field” by John McCrae. As a child getting one of those paper poppies from an uniformed veteran at the Veterans Day Parade was a highlight moment.
Today’s poppies aren’t crepe paper, wire and green floral tape anymore, but the silk versions are still available and I always take one and make a donation when I see them. As veterans once cared for us in serving the nation in military service so, too, we must extend our care to them remembering and thanking them for their service and sacrifice.
Currently, we have a new generation of men and women returning home from service in war zones. Some several thousand plus have come back draped with flags, some 10s of thousands with a long struggle of rehabilitation ahead of them, all with experiences we pray no man or woman would ever encounter. They need us, just as, we have needed them. Let us remember them in prayer. If you know someone who has given their life or who is now still in the process of healing or who is currently still serving please pass their names on to me so that this coming Sunday on Veterans Day we may remember the men and women who have given their lives to serve our nation including some who gave everything.
As Christians we look forward to that day when there will be war no more and we can sing with all God’s children,“Ain’t gonna study, study war no more…” May God give us the will and the grace to remember those who have already paid a high price because that precious day has not yet come.
Each fall a holiday passes by that seldom receives real notice any more. No, I am not talking of Columbus Day, although that, too, has become little more than an excuse for a creating a long weekend. It might be better refitted as Founders Day celebrating all who journeyed to this country and who helped to establish the colonies and the generations that have followed since then.
The holiday I am thinking of is Veterans Day. Yes, we still have a local parade but much of the emphasis of remembering veterans has been focused on Memorial Day when attention is meant to be given to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, dying in service. Veterans Day is something different. It remembers all who served, those who died but more than that all who put themselves in the service of the country. It is an important day to remember.
Among those who served are those who still bear the marks and wounds of that service physical and mental. I remember as a child the handmade paper and wire poppies that were made and sold by disabled veterans. The VFW Buddy Poppy came to the U. S. in 1922 and began being assembled by disabled veterans in 1923. They were inspired by the poem“In Flanders Field” by John McCrae. As a child getting one of those paper poppies from an uniformed veteran at the Veterans Day Parade was a highlight moment.
Today’s poppies aren’t crepe paper, wire and green floral tape anymore, but the silk versions are still available and I always take one and make a donation when I see them. As veterans once cared for us in serving the nation in military service so, too, we must extend our care to them remembering and thanking them for their service and sacrifice.
Currently, we have a new generation of men and women returning home from service in war zones. Some several thousand plus have come back draped with flags, some 10s of thousands with a long struggle of rehabilitation ahead of them, all with experiences we pray no man or woman would ever encounter. They need us, just as, we have needed them. Let us remember them in prayer. If you know someone who has given their life or who is now still in the process of healing or who is currently still serving please pass their names on to me so that this coming Sunday on Veterans Day we may remember the men and women who have given their lives to serve our nation including some who gave everything.
As Christians we look forward to that day when there will be war no more and we can sing with all God’s children,“Ain’t gonna study, study war no more…” May God give us the will and the grace to remember those who have already paid a high price because that precious day has not yet come.
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