On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in the First World War, then known as “the Great War.”
Commemorated as Armistice Day beginning the following year, November 11th became a legal federal holiday in the United States in 1938. In the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became Veterans Day, a holiday dedicated to American veterans of all wars.
From Bunker Hill to Baghdad, there has always been a select group of Americans willing to fight and possibly die for a cause greater than their self-preservation.
While we set aside November 11th as a special day to honor and remember our veterans, we should continuously endeavor to serve our veterans as well as they have served their nation.
Born of their extraordinary accomplishments comes our extraordinary debt. For those accomplishments and for their dedication, we must always be grateful.
We must almost always remember that each veteran represents an oath taken that included a willingness to die for this country if called upon. It is what President Lincoln characterized as “the last full measure of devotion.”
National Chaplain Rodney Tolbert offers this prayer: Father, please turn your gaze to those men and women who in their military service have sacrificed time, comfort, strength, ambition, health and prosperity for the peace and safety of family and friends and others they’ve never even known. Please reward them a hundredfold for all their sacrifice and service. Bless them far beyond all their expectations. Reward them richly for all they have given. In your holy name. Amen
God bless our veterans and God bless America.
From your Sons: Thank you for your service
