Veteran's day

“A Proclamation

Whereas it has long been our customs to commemorate November 11, the anniversary of the ending World War I, by paying tribute to the heroes of that tragic struggle and by rededicating ourselves to the cause of peace; and

Whereas in the intervening years the United States has been involved in two other great military conflicts, which have added millions of veterans living and dead to the honor rolls of this Nation; and

Whereas the Congress passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926 (44 Stat. 1982), calling for the observance of November 11 with appropriate ceremonies, and later provided in an act approved May 13, 1938 (52 Stat. 351), that the eleventh of November should be a legal holiday and should be known as Armistice Day; and

Whereas in order to expand the significance of that commemoration and in order that a grateful Nation might pay appropriate homage to the veterans of all its wars who have contributed so much to the preservation of this Nation, the Congress, by an act approved June 1, 1954 (68 Stat. 168), changed the name of the holiday to Veterans Day:

Now, Therefore, I, Dwight D. Eisenhower, President of the United States of America, do hereby call upon all of our citizens to observe Thursday, November 11, 1954, as Veterans Day. On that day let us solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly, on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to preserve our heritage of freedom, and let us re-consecrate ourselves to the task of promoting an enduring peace so that their efforts shall not have been in vain.”

In the last paragraph of this proclamation, you will find the phrase, “To preserve our heritage of freedom.” Today’s men and women are fighting and dying for the freedoms our forefathers fought and died for.

This song was sung during each game of the 2013 World Series:

"God bless America, land that I love. Stand beside her and guide her, Thru the night with a light from above. From the mountains to the prairie, To the oceans, white with foam. God bless America, my home sweet home."

Dare we ask God to bless America since, as a nation, we choose to live in ways God won’t bless? Apparently, we want God to bless America, and to “preserve our heritage of freedoms.”

Clearly it is not possible nor plausible that everyone in this or any other country would voice a collective prayer of faith in God, but when a great number of individuals turn to God, then there can be such a spiritual awakening that He will desire to bless us. It is essential that we realize that the answer to life’s deepest needs is not found in better education, good government, profitable commerce, nor any other dimension of this world.  It is only in Christ Jesus that there is hope for any person or nation.

Reflection: Do I live in a way that allows God to bless my lifestyle?

“Blessed is the person who does not follow the advice of wicked people, take the path of sinners, or join the company of mockers.” ~ Psalm 1:1 (GWT)