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Veterans Day was originally established as Armistice Day in 1918 to commemorate the end of World War I. It later evolved into Veterans Day, a time to honor all military veterans who have served the United States.
We recognize our veterans for their dedication, courage, and the sacrifices they have made to protect our freedoms. They have sacrificed so much by spending time away from loved ones and risking their safety for our freedom. The emotional, physical, and psychological challenges they face during their service are burdens they carry for the rest of their lives.
John 15:13 says, “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Our veterans put their lives on the line and remember many who never made it back.
When we think about honoring our veterans, we can do so by attending appreciation events, visiting memorials, or simply thanking a veteran in person. Whatever you decide to do to show honor will be meaningful.
Volunteering with organizations that support our veterans or donating to related causes are also ways to help. These actions show our veterans that their service is not forgotten and that we are here to support them.
Romans 13:7 says, “Give to everyone what you owe them… respect and honor those who are in authority.”
Another way to show honor is by praying, asking God to bless our veterans with peace, healing, and support as they transition to civilian life. We are so thankful for their service, and through prayer, we can express our gratitude.
Here is a short prayer we can offer: Lord, we thank You for the bravery and dedication of our veterans. We ask that You bless them with peace and strength. May they feel honored, appreciated, and surrounded by Your love and protection.
When I think of Veterans Day, I also think about the families of those who served. My dad was a Vietnam veteran, and though he was out of the military by the time my parents were married, I think of his life and struggles and how those struggles affected our family years later.
Military families endure a lot, from deployment and frequent moves to the constant changes and uncertainty that come with military life. Be sure to reach out to military families you know and offer them some support as well.
We also need to teach our children the importance of honoring the men and women who have served, who are serving, and who will serve. There are simple ways we can instill gratitude, like encouraging them to write thank-you letters.
Here at KJIC, we want to say thank you to our veterans.