Veterans Day 2017

Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!
~Patrick Henry March 23, 1775~

It is hard for many of us to begin to understand and appreciate the great freedom we enjoy as citizens of the United States or its cost.

Most of us grew up in an era when military service was not valued by a very vocal segment of our nation - much less honored. Veterans who had put their lives on the line in service to their country were not welcomed home as heroes - but as outcasts.

It was a time when it was hard to imagine why anyone would voluntarily choose to enter the military. Looking back, the only word for our nation's treatment of our veterans during this period is - appalling.

It wasn't until the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, that people began to peek outside of their comfort zones in the United States at life in countries with little freedom. We saw the cruel treatment of women in many Middle Eastern countries as they were beaten for appearing on the street without male escorts - even if their only reason for venturing out was to purchase food for their children. We saw how girls in these countries are denied access to education and have no choice in their marriage partners.

In Sudan, we learned of people - even children - tortured and murdered because they refuse to deny their faith in Jesus. In China, pregnant women are forced to abort their unborn children to comply with laws on family size.

In Central American countries, those who publicly disagree with governmental policies often mysteriously disappear - never to be seen again. 

In North Korea, prisoners are incarcerated in camps that are dedicated to political crimes, and they are also subjected to forced labor, physical abuse, and execution. The list of human rights violations and atrocities outside of the United States is extensive.

Yet, here we sit - in the wealthiest nation on the earth - free to attend the church of our choice, to own as many Bibles as we want, to choose our own spouse (or choose not to marry), to vote for the leaders of our government and even protest to our elected officials when we disagree with the decisions they make.

And why can we enjoy these freedoms? 

Because the men and women in our armed forces understand that freedom has a cost. And since the birth of our nation, brave men and women have stepped forward, weighed the cost and chosen to lay down their lives in service to their fellow countrymen.

Thank you just isn't enough. We need to pass these truths on to future generations - and Veterans Day is a great place to start.

“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” (John 15:13)