Veterans Day
In the song “God Bless the USA,” Lee Greenwood sings, “I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free, and I won’t forget the men who died to give that right to me.” I believe this to be one of the greatest songs of all time. But in honor of all veterans, I would like to change two words. I want to say, “I won’t forget the Ones who Served to give that right to me.” On Memorial Day, we remember those who died in the service of our nation. Veterans Day, however, has been set aside to honor all who served and sacrificed so much for our freedom.
Those who served our nation so faithfully deserve our highest esteem. Each one made unique sacrifices. For some, their first time away from home was spent in boot camp. Imagine spending your first Christmas away from your family half the world away. Many veterans came home with physical and emotional scars. All came home changed. They all deserve our gratitude, respect, and honor.
The Bible tells the story of David defeating the Amalekites in battle. After the battle, some of the men who fought did not want to share the spoils. They refused to share with the ones who guarded the supplies. In 1 Samuel 30:24, David makes it clear. He considered the ones who served in support to be just as important as the ones who served in battle. Now, not all veterans are served on the battlefield. Not all veterans served in foreign lands. But all served. Every soldier on the battlefield needs an army of support personnel behind him. It does not matter where they served, our veterans all served faithfully. They are genuine heroes.
“Thank you for your service.” We always mean well when we say this. However, I have noticed many veterans seem to be embarrassed by the recognition. It is as if they would say,” I was just doing my job.” Yes, they had a job to do, and they did it well. Veteran’s Day and every day, a grateful nation says thank you for a job well done. I will always be proud to be an American. At least I know I’m free. I will never forget those of you who served so faithfully to preserve that right for me.
“Now David came to the two hundred men who had been so weary that they could not follow David, whom they also had made to stay at the Brook Besor. So they went out to meet David and to meet the people who were with him. And when David came near the people, he greeted them. Then all the wicked and worthless men of those who went with David answered and said, “Because they did not go with us, we will not give them any of the spoil that we have recovered, except for every man’s wife and children, that they may lead them away and depart.” But David said, “My brethren, you shall not do so with what the Lord has given us, who has preserved us and delivered into our hand the troop that came against us. For who will heed you in this matter? But as his part is who goes down to the battle, so shall his part be who stays by the supplies; they shall share alike.” So it was, from that day forward; he made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel to this day.”
I Samuel 30:21-25 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/1sa.30.21-25.NKJV
Douglas @ Deborah Huff
From Down Where the Pavement Ends
email- pavementendsministry@gmail.com
