“Greater love hath no man than this, that he would lay down his life for a friend.”

John 15:13

A little history lesson combined with a whole lot of thanks . . .

Today is a national holiday in many nations, but it is only called Veteran’s Day in the United States. The Commonwealth of Nations – a political organization of fifty-four members states, almost all previous territories of Great Britain – calls it Remembrance Day. And the rest of the countries which celebrate it call it Armistice Day.  

The holiday originated in England and France to commemorate the signing of the armistice that ended WWI. The document, signed by the Allies and Germany in France at 5:45 am on November 11, 1918 called for the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front beginning at 11:00 that morning, the 11^th day of the 11^th month. (Shelling actually continued until nightfall as it took the information that long to reach and be verified by those on the front.) The armistice had to continually be extended until the final peace agreement – the Treaty of Versailles – was signed the following year.

That’s the history lesson. Here’s the thanks, insufficient though they may be.

For generations, there have been brave men and women willing to sacrifice their lives in order to guarantee that our freedom can continue. From the freezing winter of Valley Forge to the hot summer of Gettysburg, from the trenches of the Western Front to the shores of Normandy, from the skies of Europe and Korea and Vietnam and Dessert Storm and Afghanistan to all of the other battlefields of the world, life was not to precious a gift to be willing to sacrifice for the sake of God and country.

To all who served, living and passed on, and to their families, we offer a simple, humble, and heartfelt thanks that doesn’t come close to the value of your service. It is not the people in Washington who have made us what we are today, it is you. And we are grateful.

“Father, Thank you for ‘heroes proved in liberating strife, who more than self their country loved, and mercy more than life. In Jesus’ name we pray and give thanks, AMEN.”