HAPPY Veterans Day! Why 11 Nov?
via TJC
“The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17
Have you ever googled a date to look at what all took place on that date? The 11th of November has had amazing events.
The Tetrarchy wars ended in 208, Constantine VIII died in 1028, as the emperor of the Byzantine empire. In 1215, the fourth council of the Lateran met and defined the doctrine of transubstantiation – the transforming of bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ.
The Mayflower Compact was signed in 1620. Virginia Military Institute was founded in 1839.
In 1869 the state of Washington was admitted to the Union. In 1918 the Germans signed an armistice agreement with the allies, Jozef Pilsudskii assumed supreme power in Poland and became the symbolic date of Polish Independence, and the Austrian Emperor relinquished power. In 1921 the tomb of the Unknowns was dedicated in Arlington National Cemetery. In 1923, Adolf Hitler was arrested for high treason at the Beer Hall Putsch. In 1968 the Vietnam War, Operation Commando Hunt was initiated to interdict supplies on the Ho Chi Minh trail from Laos to South Vietnam. In 1993, the sculpture honoring women who served in the Vietnam War was dedicated in DC.
That’s just a fraction of the events. Why get the day off and have sales on mattresses ?
The signing of the Armistice in 1918 was commemorated in 1919 as Armistice Day by President Wilson with the following words "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…
In 1968, a uniform holiday bill was signed to ensure three-day weekends for Federal employees by celebrating Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Columbus Day and the newly named Veterans Day (to replace Armistice Day). But many of the states disagreed on the dates and Veterans day was first a day off on 25 October, 1971. President Gerald Ford finally signed a law proclaiming 11 November as Veterans Day, in 1978.
So, what really matters about 11 Nov and why do we document the historical significance of the date in America ? Is it just a day off for bureaucrats expanded to rest of America, is it a day of reflection?
IT IS TO BE A CELEBRATION!!
It is to HONOR America’s veterans for their PATRIOTISM, LOVE of COUNTRY, and WILLINGNESS TO SERVE AND SACRIFICE FOR THE COMMON GOOD of our Nation.
Zephaniah described God the ultimate warrior, with rejoicing and singing.
Veterans Day is to celebrate the warriors.
But please remember and stop confusing:
Armed Forces Day – is to thank those in uniform today
Memorial Day – is to remember those who never made it out of uniform
Veterans Day – celebrate those who used to wear that uniform
Daily Battle Order:
Today, go and celebrate a warrior, a veteran. Honor them with that celebration; listen to their stories of patriotism, their love for America, and thank them for their willingness to serve and sacrifice for your safety and the common good. If you are a Veteran, accept that honor. And if you are toasting at a bar; remember to tap your drink on the bar first for our fallen comrades and then knock glasses to salute one another “Served I did, Sacrificed I did. Regret, nothing I don’t. Veteran I am!”.
And let someone who hasn’t worn the uniform pick up the bill – it will help them remember who really paid for the party.
Thank you to all who have worn our stripes into battle!
Jesus is indeed a mighty warrior!