May we never forget the men and women who fought for our freedom, who put their lives on the line for us. The 11th of November, first Armistice Day, now Veterans Day, marked the signing of the armistice by the Allies and Germany ending the Great War, or as it was thought of then as the War to End All Wars.

But war has not ceased. Still our armed forces serve, lives are lost, and veterans return marked by the horrors of war.

How can we remember so many veterans? This number of heroes almost becomes an abstract thought. But we can look around our own congregation, we can recognize the men and women who did serve, these are real faces, these we can thank.

In our own families, look to the veterans close to us – listen to their stories, remember just how real it was/is to fight a war for one’s country, and say a heart-felt thank you.

I found this prayer by Chaplain Jenna Wright Moon. It so aptly expresses our thoughts on Veterans Day. “May we never forget. We pray that wars and rumors of wars would cease, But if there is a need, let those of us of younger generations go forth as faithfully as did our ancestors, that the cause of peace and justice may be defended and upheld. That freedom found in our country and the freedom found in and through Christ is always worth fighting for.”

“O God, whose heart compassionate bears every human pain,
redeem this violent, wounding world till gentleness shall reign.
O God of mercy, hear our prayer: bring peace to earth again!”*

Judy

*Text: Herman G. Stuempfle Jr.
Music: Perry Nelson
Hymn 700, Evangelical Lutheran Worship