This month, we will celebrate Veterans Day. It is a day to remember our loved ones and neighbors who have served our nation in the Armed Forces and are honored to carry the title of US Armed Services ‘Veteran’.
Over the last 240+ years, our Veterans have served CONUS and OCONUS to support and defend the Freedoms and Liberties we enjoy today. For instance:
Our Republic, as a whole, still stands because of these Veterans.
Our Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Religion still stands (though for how much longer?) because of Veterans.
Our National Culture and Language still reside in the ‘heartland’ because of Veterans.
Although there is a storm of contrasting worldviews seeking to take hold of, alter, and/or eliminate our nation’s sacred Constitution, the Rule of Law (versus dictatorship), though battered and torn, still holds true for most of the nation because of the sacrifices of Veterans.
May this Veterans Day be a time of remembrance for each of us and a Hope for peace through strength as we remember the price paid for Liberty and Freedom.
In closing, at the onset of WW II (1942), the US government printed a book titled Song and Service Book for Ship and Field (Army and Navy). I purchased an original of this book. It is something my dad, my Uncle Charlie, and my former father-in-law (all now deceased) would have held or read during their service in that war.
It contains George Washington’s prayer for our nation, the cadet’s prayer, the midshipman’s prayer, hymns, and order(s) of worship for Catholics, Protestants, and Jewish service members.
Let me share one of the prayers printed in this book.
“…O Lord, support us all the long of this troublous life until the shadows lengthen, and the evening comes, the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then of thy great mercy grant us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at last. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen…”
A Veteran’s prayer, to be offered in a time of great conflict and trouble….A World War was on the horizon….whose outcome, at that moment, was unknown. We all might have a similar prayer for our own time and season.
“…Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight…” (Psalm 3:5-6, NIV)
With Respect,
Soli Deo Gloria
LEO BT Chaplain B
