This Wednesday is Veterans Day. While veterans are specially honored on Nov. 11, they should be honored at all times. So, thank you multiplied times over, American veterans, for serving our nation to protect our peace and constitutional freedoms.
Veterans Day, originally called Armistice Day, ended the “War to End All Wars.” Here’s part of what President Woodrow Wilson said at the first celebration of Armistice Day in 1919: “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations. …”
Some Americans think we should resume celebrating peace as it was celebrated after World War I — that “War to End All Wars,” and I agree. Honestly, the political strife recently in our country has been outright disgusting, and I pray the recent election, without regard to who’s elected, will be a wake-up call to all our elected officials that Americans are fed up but still greatly divided about how to get the mess corrected. In my opinion, the best way we can honor all our veterans is to restore and maintain our nation’s internal peace, defending our Constitution.
We must do that now more than ever because our Constitution is facing an onslaught from many within our country. Some also are trying to rewrite our nation’s great history and have torn down some of the monuments reminding us of the victories that brought about and sustain our rights and peace. If we allow them to succeed, we might not be allowed to openly worship God, which is in America’s best interest (Psalm 33:12-22).
Actually, following Jesus, the Prince of Peace who is God with us, is the only way to have peace among men and with God (Isaiah 9:6-7; Matthew 1:21-23; Luke 2:11-14; John 14:27; 16:33). He provided for that peace by breaking down every political, cultural, ethnic, economic and gender barrier that divides humankind (Ephesians 2:11-22; Galatians 3:26-29; 4:6-7). This peace with God also brings freedom from guilt because, if we’re Christians, our sins have been forgiven [Acts 2:38-39; 1 Peter 3:21 (NASB); Revelation 1:4-6].
Like the monuments that remind us of the cost of American freedom, Christians need a frequent reminder that Jesus died to free us from our past, present and future sins (1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Hebrews 10:25-31; 2 Peter 1:3-11). In addition to personal Bible study, this reminder takes place when the church meets to remember Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, by which he brought peace among men and with God (Acts 20:7).
Are you grateful to our veterans for protecting our national peace and to Jesus for bringing about peace between us and God? Prove it by helping to restore and maintain the peace!
Leonard Lauriault is a member of the Church of Christ in Logan who writes about faith for the Quay County Sun. Contact him at [email protected]