Veterans Day

Daily Gratitude Year 5-Day 313: Today, I am grateful for Veterans Day observance. (Please note... this is a Patriotic post... not meant to be political.)

Today, we remember to give thanks for those who leave the comforts of home to protect, defend, rescue and return. Freedom isn't free. Thank you to all who have served and we thank God for your safe return. 

Some return with the scars of war. Some physical and others emotional. Some see friends make the ultimate sacrifice.All are committed to laying down their lives for their brothers, sisters and loved ones at home. 

We have family members and friends currently in active service. We cover them with prayers for their safety as they serve.  

We have other family members and friends retired from service... and some of the older ones reside in our community nursing homes. It is a good day to visit them if they are nearby. We can say "thank you" on Facebook or other social media the veterans we know near and far. 

This week... I must confess... I had a self-pity moment that Veterans Day is on a Saturday this year. No day off. Just a regular work week ahead. Then it struck me. This day was established because it marked the declaration of the end of WW1's first anniversary. That horrible war that left so many widowed, orphaned and gone too young. To offer a "convenient Monday observance" kind of misses the point. Duty calls when it isn't convenient. 

There is evil in this world. There is evil at work within our own borders. Recent attacks keep it real. "Dressember" is a reminder of this evil that plagues our world. A place where children, women and even babies are bought and sold into slavery and sex trafficking. A world where oil and power mean more than human life and alleviating suffering. There are humanitarian problems that our soldiers and special forces stand firm to rescue and redeem lives caught in the web. 

I won't pretend that our government always has pure intentions. I am not that naive.Power historically corrupts. The history books are full of lessons in this simple truth. Evidence we don't always learn from our mistakes. 

But that does not change that the flag  and our servicemen and women represent the people... all people... of this nation.  Our soldiers hold our flag so dear because it stands for home.  With it's fifty stars... one for each state... and thirteen stripes of red and white. Home.

When my sister, April died in 1995 of an undiagnosed heart defect... in service, but not in war... she came home in a flag draped coffin after 15 months in Okinawa. She was escorted by her Marine fiance and the honor guard offered her a beautiful military burial. She took God's word, love and her light to a far away place... and those around her noticed. There are veterans who served with April. Occasionally, we hear a  new story. Each one is a gift.

On Veterans Day, we give thanks for those who go and return. We honor their selfless denial and their families who support them. Yes... for their families this is a day of celebration and many homecomings remembered. 

There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. -John 15:13

There is love and honor in their sacrifice. There is joy in their return. 

Any job we are commissioned to do, we are called to make it an offering. Each day we offer our lives as a living sacrifice to our Lord. Some do that through military service. 

And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”-Mark 12:31

This beautiful passage from David... a shepherd and a warrior before he was king is beautiful. It speaks to the heart of the a soldier and the family at home. 

In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe. Psalm 4:8

Today, I am grateful for Veterans Day observance.