Honoring Those Who Fight and Serve
"And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, who was one of the
three mighties. He was with David at Pasdammim, and there the Philistines
were gathered together to battle, where was a parcel of ground full of
barley; and the people fled from before the Philistines. And they set
themselves in the midst of that parcel, and delivered it, and slew the
Philistines; and the LORD saved them by a great deliverance."
1 Chronicles 11:12-14
No people have ever been free unless a price has been paid for that freedom.
This has been true throughout recorded human history. In America, we have
enjoyed a level of liberty that is almost unprecedented for people to
believe and worship as they choose without fear. That freedom was made
possible by the form of government our founding fathers established and by
the sacrifices of those who brought that government to life and kept it from
being destroyed.
There are few days that should summon such a depth of gratitude as the day
we remember those who have honorably served the cause of their nation. And
we recognize that for many of them, it was seen and carried out as a
Christian duty. George Washington said, "While we are zealously performing
the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be
inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character
of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished
character of Christian."
There are times in the history of a nation when freedom must be defended.
Those moments call for great sacrifice, and it is only right that we
remember those who have served. There are several lists of noted soldiers in
Scripture-for military service is an honorable calling. If our society loses
its appreciation for this truth, it is not likely that our freedom will long
endure.
Those who have served our country are worthy of our gratitude and
appreciation.
