Remembering Veterans Day
Veterans Day, November 11th is a U.S. legal holiday dedicated to American veterans of all wars!
In 1918, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in World War I, then known as “the Great War.” It became a federal holiday in the United States in 1938. In the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War, it was known as Veterans Day.
Over the years I have listened to uncles, cousins and even my brother relate personal war experiences. During World War II, my mother’s cousin barely survived the more than 60-mile Bataan Death March in the Philippines during the spring of 1945. Over 70,000 prisoners of war were forced by the Japanese to walk to their eventual prison camp. Thousands died during the march and imprisonment. 1
When I was in high school our town always celebrated Armistice Day with a parade down Main Street. At least a dozen bands from neighboring towns played their patriotic tunes and groups of veterans and Boy and Girl Scout troops marched. Civic leaders waved from their cars while hundreds gathered on the sidewalks watching the parade. We put our hand over our hearts whenever Old Glory passed by. After the parade, hundreds made their way over to the county fairgrounds where there was a carnival with amusing rides, booths and games of food — ending our day of celebration.
Just before graduation, another war over a country called Korea was about to change our lives. Guys in our senior class who turned 18 left for boot camp. Two years later some of us young women dropped out of college before our junior year and headed for D.C. to do our duty working for various branches of service. We stayed at our jobs until the fighting ceased and then returned to college.
A friend who visited the General George S. Patton Museum on the grounds of Ft. Knox Army base in Kentucky told me she was impressed with a quote by General Patton posted on the wall: “I fight where I am sent, and I win where I fight!”
Let’s not forget those who fought and died. Let’s pray for and thank those we know who still wear the uniform. And also those who have retired after their faithful years of duty. On patriotic national holidays when I visit my husband’s gravesite, I am grateful for the volunteers who have placed an American flag on the graves of all the veterans buried in that cemetery. My husband’s included. Maybe just a small way to remember them, but so honoring.
Here is a prayer from our book Warfare Prayers for Women:
Prayer: Lord, grant Your protection and blessing over all who wear the uniform to protect our nation or aid those in crisis: members of all branches of our military at home and abroad, and all who put themselves in harm’s way for our safety. Lord give them courage and wise judgement. May their families know your peace, strength, and comfort while their loved ones are on the job. For those who have experienced traumatic injuries that are still troubling them, please heal their bodies, minds and emotions. Lord, send messengers to share the truth of Your love and grace with those who don’t know You. Thank You for all the brave ones who work so hard to keep us safe. 2 Now we remember with gratefulness those who gave their lives for our freedom. Amen.
Scripture: Hate evil, love good, and establish justice in the gate. (Amos 5:15a NASB)
Footnotes:
1.https://www.britannica.com/event/Bataan-Death-March
2. Quin Sherrer and Ruthanne Garlock, Warfare Prayers For Women, (Minneapolis, Minn., Chosen Books), 226.
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