This writing comes to you with a heavy heart. A deep sadness that runs the course of my veins and has me filled with waning hope in some people. Today is a holiday, a day marked on the calendar since 1919 to be held in reverence, reflection, and salute. I share with you Veteran’s Day.
This day each year on November 11th is where we remember. Remember the men and women who served this great country with bravery and honor, defending against the storms of evil that desire to creep into our borders and usurp our great way of life. Remember the men and women of the armed services!
As you know, I love history. We learn from history so that we can have common sense! So, why today? How did this day start? My message today is not so much about where this holiday came from, but it helps to know where it all began. As the end of World War 1 neared, various peace accords were being brokered between the countries involved in that large-scale war with Germany and her allies. Though differing truce dates ran from September of 1918 all the way through to the Treaty of Versailles on June 28th of 1919, we would officially note the 11th hour of November 11th, 1918 as our countries armistice day. It officially became a national holiday the following year and was to be commemorated each year on that date.
In 1954, President Eisenhower wanted to assure that the dedicated veterans of World War II, those who came home and those who never did, were remembered as well and officially changed Armistice Day to Veteran’s Day, a day to remember all military personnel who gave the greatest sacrifice for our country.
Fast forward to today. The date has never changed, the holiday is still marked as Veteran’s Day. What has changed is the people. The people who mark this day as a ‘day off’ from work, or a shopping sale date, or a day that passes like any other day in the calendar. Quite honestly, this particular year is only getting a bigger notation because the date and time will be a rare, once every hundred years, palindromic occurence. So, novelty wins out on patriotism. It’s sad when so many stupid things win out over patriotism in this country.
The (thankfully) former Governor of Minnesota, Jessie Ventura recently went on a tirade in front of the news media declaring that, even though he is a former Navy Seal, he is giving up his love of this country that he served. He has bellowed that he will not stand in due respect during the National Anthem. He will not salute our flag. He is even adamant about locking-in his citizenship with Mexico (since he lives there now, half of the year…). All this whining and fussing because he was violated. This self-proclaimed rough and ready ex-Seal was violated by a TSA agent who patted him down during a trip to the airport. Really? Sadly, yes…that’s his big reason for hating America now.
I know that there are many opinions regarding that TSA process, and quite honestly, I am not going to go there right now. I have personal issues with people getting onto airplanes and either blowing them up or flying them into buildings, so I will just shut my mouth regarding that matter. What I will say is simply this: if you love this country, then show it! If you don’t love this country and would rather see it over-run by crazed lunatics who blow up their own people, kill their own children, violate and treat people as animals, restrict freedom to choose, and force their beliefs on to you….well then, get the hell out!
I don’t know about you, but my heart is heavy with sadness that the people of this country have forgotten. They’ve forgotten how we got here, why we got here, and how we stay here! Is it so tough to ask for even one day out of 365 each year to stop and really count your blessings? I’m not talking blessings as in turkey and stuffing, I’m talking about blessed that we have freedom to choose, that our country (though mismanaged at times) is still the greatest country in the world to live in and raise a family! We can’t even get folks to really put aside the novelties that seem to get attached to a day of remembrance like today and reflect on who we are to this great land.
I’ll just close with this: Whether you served in the military, whether you supported someone in the military, or whether you just have great respect for the protection of our way of life that our armed forces have given, and continue to give, to each of us….remember to stand for the flag, salute our troops, and always, ALWAYS remember how we got this freedom in America today. A lot of sacrifices were made so that we can be free. And if you and Jesse don’t like it, me and some of my true patriot friends would be more than happy to help you out the door. You want to live here because of the freedom, then thank a Veteran.
This message is brought to you today by a Veteran, because of Veterans. God Bless these United States and all who have served and still serve!
Harbor Lights Ministries 