November is the month set aside for giving thanks, thanks for a grateful nation’s survival, due to the generosity of 90 Wampanoag Native people to 52 English Pilgrims at that first American Thanksgiving after a failed harvest.
The native people provided a feast for the English settlers at Plymouth, Mass. in 1621. Thanksgiving entered our lexicon. November is also the month in which we celebrate a less celebrated, but equally special holiday. The holiday that I am referring to is called Veterans Day.
Veteran’s Day by any other name
Veterans’ Day is celebrated in some form or the other around the world. In some countries it is called Armistice Day. Armistice Day, also known as Remembrance Day in some places and Veterans Day in the United States. It is commemorated every year on Nov. 11 to mark the armistice signed between the Allies.
In other countries, it may be called Remembrance Day. Remembrance Day is also observed on Nov. 11 to recall the end of the First World War, when hostilities ended “at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. No matter what you call it, it is a day on which we honor the men and women who have served in the military and those who have died. These days are often conflated into one observance, Memorial Day. But they are different.
Memorial Day is set aside to remember those military persons who died in service. Armed Forces Day was designed to expand public understanding of what type of job is performed and the role of the military in our society. So, it honors those currently serving. Whereas, on Veteran’s day, we remember those who served. In all our National holidays, dedicated to military personnel, we say “thank you” to Veterans for their service and the sacrifices made on our behalf.
‘Thank you for your service’
As I travel across our great country, I often see young men and women in uniform in the airports, and overhear fellow passengers say to them, “Thank you for your service,” and the passengers move on with their lives. What does it mean to say thank you for your service to a young man or woman who is willing to fight and willing to die for this country? If you served, does it recall memories of your own military service?
I enlisted in the Navy in 1976, shortly after the end of the Vietnam war when Veterans were not greeted with such kind words. But, in recent times, I have had those words spoken to me, not that I am wearing a uniform, but someone has seen the Navy Veteran’s license plate on my car. I must say that I appreciate the recognition.
When Dwight D. Eisenhower was president, it is reported that he received a letter from 8-year-old Keith Aiken of Trumbull, Conn. Kevin wrote: “After listening to the news about the Cold War, I am worried about the people in the world. In thinking it over, I have a plan. Get all the leaders together who want war, put them in a ring and let them fight it out.”
As one who has served my country honorably, I suspect that young Kevin’s sentiment may be shared by many today. I’m sure there are men and women who have experienced war, and many veterans of foreign wars, probably feel this way about war today. Just let those who want to fight, do the fighting! Don’t involve everybody else in it!
Like those Pilgrims in 1621, we have much to be thankful for, especially for those military veterans who have seen and lived through war. War is a terrible thing and yet it seems that war is inevitable in our world. Matthew 24:6 says, “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.”
Biblical advice on war
Most Bible commentators believe, however, that Jesus was talking about the coming destruction of Jerusalem, which took place about 70 A.D. But could it be that wars are also a sign of the second coming of Christ? Many people believe so. Wars do seem inevitable.
If I may, let me quote a Union general. In an 1879 speech. Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman said, “You don’t know the horrible aspects of war. I’ve been through two wars, and I know. I’ve seen cities and homes in ashes. I’ve seen thousands of men lying on the ground, their dead faces looking up at the skies. I tell you, war is hell!”
Let me be clear; I don’t question Gen. Sherman’s feelings and convictions about war. If you’ve never been there, you just don’t know. However, I have heard it this way. War is “hellish, but not hell!” Based on my reading of Scripture, I would say this is true. Nothing is as horrible as hell.
WWII qualifies as perhaps the greatest war, or the most hellish war in history. In all, 61 countries with 1.7 billion people, three-fourths of the world’s population, took part. In terms of money spent, it has been put at more than $1 trillion, in today’s dollars, which makes it the most expensive war of all. Then there is the human cost, not including the 5 to 6 million Jews killed in the Holocaust, is estimated to have been 55 million dead, 25 million of those military and 30 million civilians. War is indeed hellish!
Some aspects of war are never right, regardless of the war, but we must support those who are willing to go and give on behalf of their country!
As someone wrote:
- It is the VETERAN, not the preacher,
who has given us freedom of religion. - It is the VETERAN, not the reporter,
who has given us freedom of the press. - It is the VETERAN, not the poet,
who has given us freedom of speech. - It is the VETERAN, not the campus organizer,
who has given us freedom to assemble. - It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer,
who has given us the right to a fair trial. - It is the VETERAN, not the politician,
who has given us the right to vote. - It is the VETERAN, who salutes the Flag,
who serves under the Flag.
On this Veteran’s Day in November, we honor all our armed service veterans. To you, veterans, like the Wampanoag people, you give unselfishly so that others might live free. Therefore, we owe you a debt of gratitude, because you are willing to serve and even give your life so that we might live in peace. The least we can say to all Veterans is: “thank you for your service!” And from this Navy veteran, I say God bless you!
Rev. Bill Alford is a retired priest who served St. Alban’s Episcopal Church for the last 30 years and who has been priest-in-charge of the Church of the Atonement in Hephzibah for the last three years. Originally from Albany, Ga., Rev. Alford is a Navy Veteran who sings with and who is on the Board of Directors for the Augusta Choral Society.
