Living in a city with such a huge presence of active duty, former military, and retired military has left me with renewed awe and appreciation for those who have defended our nation, fought to protect our liberty, and gone the world over in the cause of American interests. The numbers of those dead and wounded over the years is too great a number for me to imagine. On Sunday morning I see the faces of so many young and middle aged folks who may be there in civilian clothing but who are always "on duty." We have had colonels and the lowest of the enlisted ranks, helicopter pilots and mechanics, paratroopers and chaplains, special forces and regular army. They are tall and short, men and women, from cities and rural areas, but they share in common a remarkable sense of duty that makes me feel safe and secure. More than this, it makes me feel a deep and abiding sense of gratitude toward those who have served and now serve.
As we approach Veterans Day (formerly Armistice Day and Remembrance Day for our Commonwealth friends), we lament that promise of the war to end all wars has not been kept. Instead we find ourselves in conflict after conflict. Some are nearer to our homes and some are so far away we can barely pronounce the geographic names. In the midst of it all are those young men and women who have borne the lion's share of the burden of liberty's defense. But don't just say a prayer of thanks, tell a veteran or active duty soldier "Thank you."
3 comments:
Rev. Peters,
Please keep in mind that ALL of those military people that you look out on each Sunday are volunteers. There's not a draftee among them. Not one citizen in this country has to pay for his/her freedom by serving in the military. The folks who are serving, today deserve a special place in our society.
I meant to say that all of the active duty folks are volunteers. There are, of course draftees among the veterans.
Yes... but. They are volunteers but they volunteer mostly for sacrificial and patriotic reason and not for financial gain (since a number of them actually qualify for welfare and food stamps). I merely testify to the fact that there are men and women who heed the call and selflessly serve in harms way on our behalf... still.
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