A VETERANS DAY TRIBUTE ~ by Special K

[Special K]

Veterans Day falls on November 11 and is designated as a day to honor all who have served in the military. According to Military.com, Veterans Day began as Armistice Day to honor the end of World War I, which officially took place on November 11, 1918.

"In 1954, after having been through both World War II and the Korean War, the 83rd U.S. Congress -- at the urging of the veterans service organizations -- amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting the word "Veterans," the site says. "With the approval of this legislation on June 1, 1954, November 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars." Thus, we all should give honor to (both) veterans who live and those who have died on Veterans Day.



Unbelievably, some Americans are confused about the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day, primarily because both revolve around the armed forces, they’re both holidays, which they know are very patriotic and are (both) well adorned by the flying of the flag.

With all due respect to those who don’t know: There is, in fact, one very big difference in the two holidays. Memorial Day honors service members who’ve died in battle or from injuries sustained in battle. Veterans Day, on the other hand, celebrates anyone who’s ever served honorably. In addition, for anyone who has a deceased vet anywhere in the family history, who didn’t die during war; all of us should remember to take the opportunity to celebrate their lives and their contributions to freedom on Veterans Day too by at very least dedicating a moment of silent thanksgiving in their honor.



While I have served... and I know many of you have too: There are many Americans who can only commemorate this important occasion by trying to wrap their minds around the gravity of the sacrifices that veterans make (and have made) for all of us, our families, our friends and our great country. Moreover, this day should be wholly reflective of each of our deep and sincere gratitude -- that it is by those sacrifices -- that we are now able to enjoy all of our freedoms -- that so many people in other countries can only dream of having. Let us have a word of prayer together:

Heavenly Father, we pray and agree for those who have served our nation and
those who have laid down their lives to protect and defend our freedoms
against all who have and will come against it.

We pray for those who have fought, whose spirits and bodies are scarred by war,
whose nights are haunted by memories too painful for words or the light of day.

We pray for those who serve us now, especially for those in harm's way;
We also pray for our police and first-responders that they will all be safe.

Build Your hedge around them and shield them from danger and
we pray that You will bring each of them home safely each day.

Please turn the hearts and minds of our leaders as well as the hardened
hearts of our adversaries to the good works of justice and a harvest of peace.

May the peace You brought us in Jesus; the peace You gave us in Jesus;
be the same peace that sustains us through Jesus; and the peace that saves
and delivers us through what He did and not what we do.

Thank you for hearing our prayers oh Lord, and may it be Your will
not ours that is done; In Jesus' precious name, we pray.

Amen.