Commentary; Posted: 11/1/06
Honoring our Veterans
Rev. John C. Blackford,
Religion Columnist
A grateful nation will honor its veterans again on November 11, a week from this Saturday, on what we call Veterans Day.
It has been observed since the conclusion of the war of 1914-1918, known then as the World War, now designated as World War I.
An armistice, halting hostilities, was signed on November 11, 1918 at 11 a.m. and the yearly commemoration of that event was known as ìArmistice Dayî until the World War II era, when it was renamed Veterans Day to honor all who have served in our armed forces.
Older readers will probably recall that on Armistice Day whistles would blow at 11 a.m. in the morning in remembrance of the end of that war.
People would pause for a brief time in spirit of thankfulness, and of appreciation for our loved ones who had been in the conflict.
Today less than one hundred American veterans of that war are still living, and they are all over one hundred years old.
Robert Dole, a severely wounded veteran of World War II, served his country after the war in the arena of politics. A senator from Kansas and Senate Majority Leader, and the 1996 Republican nominee for president, said in USA Weekend, October 13-15, 2006, ìBecause of my background, I receive many invitations to speak to veterans of World War II, in particular.
ìThese exchanges never fail to move me. I look out at the men in the audience who served with me.
ìThey were farmers and union rank and file who left their homes, where they were taking care of their families, out of a sense of duty. They were lawyers and doctors who abandoned thriving practices to answer the call to Europe or North Africa or the Pacific. Fewer than 3.2 million of us are living today, out of the estimated 16 million who served.î (Approximately 1100 of us who were in World War II die each day).
With rationing of food, metal and gasoline, and the military draft in World War II, everyone sacrificed. That does not happen today.
ìStill citizens ask me what they can do to help,î Sen. Dole comments. ìI always say, find a nearby veteransí hospital and pay a visit...Some of the older guys donít get much company; family members are gone now. Take them some magazines, find out how they feel.î (loc.cit.)
No matter what war they served in, from the Revolutionary War to the present struggle in the mideast, veterans are part of the unique family.
Going to a strange place to fight was never in their plans, but they responded to something in their hearts when their country called.
During a critical time in the Civil War President Abraham Lincoln said, ìThe occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion.î
Veterans and all other Americans realize that the cause of freedom is at stake. Other generations have faced the question, ìIs freedom worth the price?î
At a tremendous cost in terms of life and resources, they have responded positively and sacrificially, and we are their beneficiaries.
ìIt goes all the way back to the Revolution,î said Dole, ìWhen everyday citizens were inspired by the compelling words and actions of our forefathers.î
Men and women did their part, the men suffering great hardships in battle and the women maintaining the family farms and businesses, often with difficulty.
ìBut thatís all part of the special quality of Americans serving in conflict, not matter what war. Thereís ultimately a determination to do what it takes to complete the mission and win the war.î
In Galatians 5:1 we read: ìIt is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand fast, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.î (New International Version).
The primary meaning of this verse is spiritual, but because there is a close link between faith and freedom, there is also a practical application to our present world situation.
As we remember on this Veterans Day those who have served and sacrificed for our nationís freedoms, our commitment to these same principles will be our finest way to honor them.
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