Today is Veteran’s Day, a day to give thanks for those who served our country in the armed services both in war and in peacetime. What a blessing to express our thanks for those who have sacrificed to give us the wonderful freedoms of the United States of America.

Veteran’s Day was established by the congress in 1954. Originally this day commemorated the end of WWI. Today, we use the day to honor those who have served. Memorial Day (in May) remembers those who have died in the service of our country.

Today, we particularly need to remember three groups. The first is those veterans of WWII who are now dying at the rate of 740 each day. We owe these folks a tremendous debt of gratitude. They endured experiences that most of us cannot imagine. I am slowly reading “Flags of Our Fathers,” a book about the flag raisers on bloody Iwo Jima. It is a hard to read. What would it have been like to live it? Thank God for these veterans.

The Second group is made up of those who have served in Afghanistan and Iraq. This has been a long, costly war. Thank you for serving. My first grandson was born ten days after September 11. I well remember saying to myself: “George Bush has been charged with the duty of protecting my grandchild.” I am grateful for those who have served in these arenas.

Third, let us thank veterans in general. None of them knew what they would be called on to do. Some have served in peacetime. We give thanks for that. Others have been called to serve in Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, as well as a number of smaller conflicts.

Please take this day to thank a veteran. We are blessed to have freedom. We thank God for those who have made it possible.

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